Author: P. A. JellPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Paleontology
Languages : en
Pages : 482
Book Description
Palaeontological Studies in Honour of Ken Campbell
Author: P. A. JellPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Paleontology
Languages : en
Pages : 482
Book Description
Fins into Limbs
Author: Brian K. HallPublisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226313409
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 461
Book Description
Long ago, fish fins evolved into the limbs of land vertebrates and tetrapods. During this transition, some elements of the fin were carried over while new features developed. Lizard limbs, bird wings, and human arms and legs are therefore all evolutionary modifications of the original tetrapod limb. A comprehensive look at the current state of research on fin and limb evolution and development, this volume addresses a wide range of subjects—including growth, structure, maintenance, function, and regeneration. Divided into sections on evolution, development, and transformations, the book begins with a historical introduction to the study of fins and limbs and goes on to consider the evolution of limbs into wings as well as adaptations associated with specialized modes of life, such as digging and burrowing. Fins into Limbs also discusses occasions when evolution appears to have been reversed—in whales, for example, whose front limbs became flippers when they reverted to the water—as well as situations in which limbs are lost, such as in snakes. With contributions from world-renowned researchers, Fins into Limbs will be a font for further investigations in the changing field of evolutionary developmental biology.
The Timetree of Life
Author: S. Blair HedgesPublisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 019160898X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 1237
Book Description
The evolutionary history of life includes two primary components: phylogeny and timescale. Phylogeny refers to the branching order (relationships) of species or other taxa within a group and is crucial for understanding the inheritance of traits and for erecting classifications. However, a timescale is equally important because it provides a way to compare phylogeny directly with the evolution of other organisms and with planetary history such as geology, climate, extraterrestrialimpacts, and other features.The Timetree of Life is the first reference book to synthesize the wealth of information relating to the temporal component of phylogenetic trees. In the past, biologists have relied exclusively upon the fossil record to infer an evolutionary timescale. However, recent revolutionary advances in molecular biology have made it possible to not only estimate the relationships of many groups of organisms, but also to estimate their times of divergence with molecular clocks. The routineestimation and utilization of these so-called 'time-trees' could add exciting new dimensions to biology including enhanced opportunities to integrate large molecular data sets with fossil and biogeographic evidence (and thereby foster greater communication between molecular and traditional systematists). Theycould help estimate not only ancestral character states but also evolutionary rates in numerous categories of organismal phenotype; establish more reliable associations between causal historical processes and biological outcomes; develop a universally standardized scheme for biological classifications; and generally promote novel avenues of thought in many arenas of comparative evolutionary biology.This authoritative reference work brings together, for the first time, experts on all major groups of organisms to assemble a timetree of life. The result is a comprehensive resource on evolutionary history which will be an indispensable reference for scientists, educators, and students in the life sciences, earth sciences, and molecular biology. For each major group of organism, a representative is illustrated and a timetree of families and higher taxonomic groups is shown. Basic aspects ofthe evolutionary history of the group, the fossil record, and competing hypotheses of relationships are discussed. Details of the divergence times are presented for each node in the timetree, and primary literature references are included. The book is complemented by an online database(www.timetree.net) which allows researchers to both deposit and retrieve data.
Middle and Upper Devonian Rugose Corals from the Canning Basin, Western Australia
Author: R. L. Scott BrownlawPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Canning Basin (W.A.)
Languages : en
Pages : 136
Book Description
Cambro-Ordovician Studies
Author: J. R. LauriePublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Fossils
Languages : en
Pages : 732
Book Description
Cambro-Ordovician Studies II
Author: John R. PatersonPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 432
Book Description
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology
Author: Palaeo Down Under Conference
Author: J. R. LauriePublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 210
Book Description
Palaeozoic Vertebrate Biochronology and Global Marine/non-marine Correlation
Author: Alain BlieckPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Paleontology
Languages : en
Pages : 598
Book Description
Fabulous Fossils
Author: Donald G. MikulicPublisher: University of State of New York
ISBN:
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 260
Book Description
"Fabulous Fossils is a timely and significant contribution to the history of science and evolutionary paleontology. It details humanity's interest and developing understanding of trilobites from the recovery of these fossils at 15,000 year-old Paleolithic sites, to the 18th century appreciation that they were arthropod fossils. This volume elaborates on the development of modern trilobite research in Australia and a number of American, European, and Asian countries"--Publisher's description.