Page 8 - Introduction to Paleobiology and The Fossil Record

Full contents

Preface xi

1 Paleontology as a science 1
Paleontology in the modern world 2
Paleontology as a science 3
Steps to understanding 9
Fossils and evolution 12
Paleontology today 13
Review questions 20
Further reading 20
References 21

2 Fossils in time and space 22
Frameworks 23
On the ground: lithostratigraphy 25
Use of fossils: discovery of biostratigraphy 25
Paleobiogeography 41
Fossils in fold belts 48
Review questions 55
Further reading 55
References 55

3 Taphonomy and the quality of the fossil record 57
Fossil preservation 58
Quality of the fossil record 70
Review questions 77
Further reading 77
References 78

4 Paleoecology and paleoclimates 79
Paleoecology 80
Paleoclimates 103
Review questions 113
Further reading 113
References 114

5 Macroevolution and the tree of life 116
Evolution by natural selection 118
Evolution and the fossil record 120