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Showing 341 - 360 of 811 items
By Dianne Edwards, Patricia G. Gensel, Eds.. 2001
What do we now know about the origins of plants on land, from an evolutionary and an environmental perspective? The…
essays in this collection present a synthesis of our present state of knowledge, integrating current information in paleobotany with physical, chemical, and geological data.By Donald R. Prothero, Daniel Loxton. 2013
Throughout our history, humans have been captivated by mythic beasts and legendary creatures. Tales of Bigfoot, the Yeti, and the…
Loch Ness monster are part of our collective experience. Now comes a book from two dedicated investigators that explores and elucidates the fascinating world of cryptozoology. Daniel Loxton and Donald R. Prothero have written an entertaining, educational, and definitive text on cryptids, presenting the arguments both for and against their existence and systematically challenging the pseudoscience that perpetuates their myths. After examining the nature of science and pseudoscience and their relation to cryptozoology, Loxton and Prothero take on Bigfoot; the Yeti, or Abominable Snowman, and its cross-cultural incarnations; the Loch Ness monster and its highly publicized sightings; the evolution of the Great Sea Serpent; and Mokele Mbembe, or the Congo dinosaur. They conclude with an analysis of the psychology behind the persistent belief in paranormal phenomena, identifying the major players in cryptozoology, discussing the character of its subculture, and considering the challenge it poses to clear and critical thinking in our increasingly complex world.By K. S. W. Campbell, M. F. Day. 1987
Originally published in 1987 Rates of Evolution is an edited collection drawn from a symposium convened to bring together palaeontologists,…
geneticists, molecular biologists and developmental biologists to examine some aspects of the problem of evolutionary rates. The book asks questions surrounding the study of evolution, such as did large morphological changes really occur rapidly at various times in the geological past, or is the fossil record too imperfect to be of value in assessing rates of morphological change? What is the measure of ‘rapid’ change? Is stasis at any taxonomic level established? Is it possible to relate genomic and morphological change? What is the role of regulatory and executive genes in controlling evolutionary change? Does the transfer of genetic material between different taxa provide the possibility of increasing evolutionary rates? Featuring contributions from leading researchers, this book will interest anthropologists, palaeontology and scientists of evolution and genetics.By William B. Miller, John S. Torday, Jean Guex. 2020
It is widely acknowledged that life has adapted to its environment, but the precise mechanism remains unknown since Natural Selection,…
Descent with Modification and Survival of the Fittest are metaphors that cannot be scientifically tested. In this unique text, invertebrate and vertebrate biologists illuminate the effects of physiologic stress on epigenetic responses in the process of evolutionary adaptation from unicellular organisms to invertebrates and vertebrates, respectively. This book offers a novel perspective on the mechanisms underlying evolution.Capacities for morphologic alterations and epigenetic adaptations subject to environmental stresses are demonstrated in both unicellular and multicellular organisms. Furthermore, the underlying cellular-molecular mechanisms that mediate stress for adaptation will be elucidated wherever possible. These include examples of ‘reverse evolution’ by Professor Guex for Ammonites and for mammals by Professor Torday and Dr. Miller. This provides empiric evidence that the conventional way of thinking about evolution as unidirectional is incorrect, leaving open the possibility that it is determined by cell-cell interactions, not sexual selection and reproductive strategy. Rather, the process of evolution can be productively traced through the conservation of an identifiable set of First Principles of Physiology that began with the unicellular form and have been consistently maintained, as reflected by the return to the unicellular state over the course of the life cycle.This volume brings together diverse contributions from leading archaeologists and paleoanthropologists, covering various spatial and temporal periods to distinguish convergent…
evolution from cultural transmission in order to see if we can discover ancient human populations. With a focus on lithic technology, the book analyzes ancient materials and cultures to systematically explore the theoretical and physical aspects of culture, convergence, and populations in human evolution and prehistory. The book will be of interest to academics, students and researchers in archaeology, paleoanthropology, genetics, and paleontology. The book begins by addressing early prehistory, discussing the convergent evolution of behaviors and the diverse ecological conditions driving the success of different evolutionary paths. Chapters discuss these topics and technology in the context of the Lower Paleolithic/Earlier Stone age and Middle Paleolithic/Middle Stone Age. The book then moves towards a focus on the prehistory of our species over the last 40,000 years. Topics covered include the human evolutionary and dispersal consequences of the Middle-Upper Paleolithic Transition in Western Eurasia. Readers will also learn about the cultural convergences, and divergences, that occurred during the Terminal Pleistocene and Holocene, such as the budding of human societies in the Americas. The book concludes by integrating these various perspectives and theories, and explores different methods of analysis to link technological developments and cultural convergence.By Edoardo Martinetto, Emanuel Tschopp, Robert A. Gastaldo. 2020
This book simulates a historical walk through nature, teaching readers about the biodiversity on Earth in various eras with a…
focus on past terrestrial environments. Geared towards a student audience, using simple terms and avoiding long complex explanations, the book discusses the plants and animals that lived on land, the evolution of natural systems, and how these biological systems changed over time in geological and paleontological contexts. With easy-to-understand and scientifically accurate and up-to-date information, readers will be guided through major biological events from the Earth's past. The topics in the book represent a broad paleoenvironmental spectrum of interests and educational modules, allowing for virtual visits to rich geological times. Eras and events that are discussed include, but are not limited to, the much varied Quaternary environments, the evolution of plants and animals during the Cenozoic, the rise of angiosperms, vertebrate evolution and ecosystems in the Mesozoic, the Permian mass extinction, the late Paleozoic glaciation, and the origin of the first trees and land plants in the Devonian-Ordovician. With state-of-the art expert scientific instruction on these topics and up-to-date and scientifically accurate illustrations, this book can serve as an international course for students, teachers, and other interested individuals.The diversity crisis in paleontology refers not to modern biota or the fossil record, but rather how our discipline lacks…
significant representation of individuals varying in race, ethnicity, and other aspects of identity. This Element is a call to action for broadening participation through improved classroom approaches as described in four sections. First, a brief review of the crisis and key concepts are presented. Next, culturally responsive pedagogy and related practices are introduced. Third, specific applications are offered for drawing cultural connections to studying the fossil record. Finally, recommendations including self-reflection are provided for fostering your own cultural competency. Our discipline offers much for understanding earth history and contributing new knowledge to a world impacted by humans. However, we must first more effectively welcome, support, and inspire all students to embrace meaning and value in paleontology; it is critical for securing the future of our field.By Beth Shapiro. 2015
An insider's view on bringing extinct species back to lifeCould extinct species, like mammoths and passenger pigeons, be brought back…
to life? In How to Clone a Mammoth, Beth Shapiro, an evolutionary biologist and pioneer in ancient DNA research, addresses this intriguing question by walking readers through the astonishing and controversial process of de-extinction. From deciding which species should be restored to anticipating how revived populations might be overseen in the wild, Shapiro vividly explores the extraordinary cutting-edge science that is being used to resurrect the past. Considering de-extinction's practical benefits and ethical challenges, Shapiro argues that the overarching goal should be the revitalization and stabilization of contemporary ecosystems. Looking at the very real and compelling science behind an idea once seen as science fiction, How to Clone a Mammoth demonstrates how de-extinction will redefine conservation's future.By James Lawrence Powell, James L. Powell, D. Powell. 1998
What killed the dinosaurs? For more than a century, this question has been one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in…
science. But, in 1980, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Luis Alvarez and his son, Walter, proposed a radical answer: 65 million years ago an asteroid or comet as big as Mt. Everest slammed into the earth, raising a dust cloud vast enough to cause mass extinction. A revolutionary idea that challenged the ice-age extinction theory, the asteroid-impact theory was scorned and derided by the science community. But after years of bitter debate and intense research, an astonishing discovery was made-an immense impact crater in the Yucatn Peninsula that was identified as Ground Zero. The Alvarezes had their proof. A dramatic scientific detective story, Night Comes to the Cretaceous is a brilliant example of science at work-in the trenches, complete with passionate struggles and occasional victories.By Zakaria Hamimi, Shoji Arai, Abdel-Rahman Fowler, Mohammed Z. El-Bialy. 2021
This richly illustrated book provides an overview of the Neoproterozoic Pan-African Belt of Egypt (PABE), which represents the northwestern continuation…
of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS) and the East African Orogen (EAO). The first chapter offers an introduction to the Turin Papyrus Map and the historical background of the PABE, while the second addresses how the PABE is related to the ANS and EAO. Rock succession of the PABE is dealt with in Chapter 3, while Chapter 4 focuses on Sinai Metamorphic Core Complexes and implications on the break-up of Rodinia. Subsequent chapters discuss a broad range of topics, e.g. ophiolite-dominated suprastructural rocks; volcanosedimentary succession, Neoproterozoic volcanism and volcanic rocks in Egypt; enigmatic issues concerning granite, Dokhan and Hammamat sediments; the lithospheric mantle beneath the Northeast African continent and the mantle section of Neoproterozoic ophiolites from the PABE; sutures, megashears and petrogenetic evolution of the Neoproterozoic rocks of Egypt; and metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits in the PABE, which are covered in extensive detail. The book’s closing chapters discuss the application of remote sensing techniques and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) to decipher the tectonic evolution of the PABE, as well as the use of geophysical data to map structural features and hydrothermal alteration zones in the PABE.By Dirk Knaust. 2017
This book provides the reader with a well-balanced blend of high-quality photographs figures and accompanied text for the identification…
of trace fossils both in core and in outcrop Ichnological data become more and more crucial in sedimentological and paleoenvironmental interpretations not only in the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons but also in the characterization of aquifers and in scientific drilling After an introduction to the study of trace fossils in core and an outlining of ichnological basics principles and concepts the book continues with a detailed description and interpretation of 39 trace fossils ichnogenera and associated features such as bioturbate texture plant roots and their traces borings and pseudo-trace fossils commonly encountered in well cores and in outcrop The trace fossils are highlighted by their expression in well core nicely illustrated with carefully prepared eye-catching core photographs This unique information is complemented with examples of trace fossils in outcrop as well as relevant key figures from the literature Each description is presented in a consistent manner stating the ichnogenus name and author in the title followed by sections about morphology and size ichnotaxonomy substrate appearance in core similar trace fossils producers ethology depositional environment ichnofacies age as well as reservoir quality The book is rounded off with an extensive list of references for further reading The material for the book originates from the author s continuous work with trace fossils in core over the last two decadesBy Yanli Lei, Tiegang Li. 2016
This atlas gives a comprehensive account on the benthic foraminiferal fauna in the China Seas especially on the Bohai…
and the Yellow Seas Details of about 183 species subjected to 5 orders 52 families and 92 genera are included For each species there is a brief description of the morphological characteristics synonymised names measurements and geographical distribution worldwide as well as a top-level elegant plate illustrated the fossil and live specimens It could be used as a reference book for researchers working at marine biology marine geology micropaleontology paleoceanography paleobiology and related fieldsThe famous bone beds of the Morrison Formation, formed one hundred and fifty million years ago and running from Wyoming…
down through the red rock region of the American Southwest, have yielded one of the most complete pictures of any ancient vertebrate ecosystem in the world. Jurassic West, Second Edition tells the story of the life of this ancient world as scientists have so far been able to reconstruct it.Aimed at the general reader, Jurassic West, Second Edition recounts the discovery of many important Late Jurassic dinosaurs such as Apatosaurus, Allosaurus, and Stegosaurus. But dinosaurs compose barely a third of the more than 90 types of vertebrates known from the formation, which include crocodiles and turtles, frogs and salamanders, dinosaurs and mammals, clams and snails, and ginkgoes, ferns, and conifers.Featuring nearly all new illustrations, the second edition of this classic work includes new taxa named since 2007, updates to the naming and classifications of some old taxa, and expanded sections on numerous aspects of Morrison Formation paleontology and geology.By John Pickrell. 2016
From the outback of Australia to the Gobi Desert of Mongolia and the savanna of Madagascar, the award-winning science writer…
and dinosaur enthusiast John Pickrell embarks on a world tour of new finds, meeting the fossil hunters who work at the frontier of discovery. He reveals the dwarf dinosaurs unearthed by an eccentric Transylvanian baron; an aquatic, crocodile-snouted carnivore bigger than T. rex that once lurked in North African waterways; a Chinese dinosaur with wings like a bat; and a Patagonian sauropod so enormous it weighed more than two commercial jet airliners. Other surprising discoveries hail from Alaska, Siberia, Canada, Burma, and South Africa. Why did dinosaurs grow so huge? How did they spread across the world? Did they all have feathers? What do sauropods have in common with 1950s vacuum cleaners? The stuff of adventure movies and scientific revolutions, Weird Dinosaurs examines the latest breakthroughs and new technologies that are radically transforming our understanding of the distant past. Pickrell opens a vivid portal to a brand-new age of fossil discovery, in which fossil hunters are routinely redefining what we know and how we think about prehistory's most iconic and fascinating creatures.By Kermit Pattison. 2020
"A rip-roaring tale, Fossil Men is one of those rare books that can be a prism through which to view…
the world, exposing the fabric of the Earth and illuminating the Tree of Life." —New York Times bestselling author Peter NicholsA decade in the making, Fossil Men is a scientific detective story played out in anatomy and the natural history of the human body: the first full-length account of the discovery of a startlingly unpredicted human ancestor more than a million years older than LucyIt is the ultimate mystery: where do we come from? In 1994, a team led by fossil-hunting legend Tim White uncovered a set of ancient bones in Ethiopia’s Afar region. Radiometric dating of nearby rocks indicated the resulting skeleton, classified as Ardipithecus ramidus—nicknamed “Ardi”—was an astounding 4.4 million years old, more than a million years older than the world-famous “Lucy.” The team spent the next 15 years studying the bones in strict secrecy, all while continuing to rack up landmark fossil discoveries in the field and becoming increasingly ensnared in bitter disputes with scientific peers and Ethiopian bureaucrats. When finally revealed to the public, Ardi stunned scientists around the world and challenged a half-century of orthodoxy about human evolution—how we started walking upright, how we evolved our nimble hands, and, most significantly, whether we were descended from an ancestor that resembled today’s chimpanzee. But the discovery of Ardi wasn’t just a leap forward in understanding the roots of humanity--it was an attack on scientific convention and the leading authorities of human origins, triggering an epic feud about the oldest family skeleton.In Fossil Men, acclaimed journalist Kermit Pattison brings us a cast of eccentric, obsessive scientists, including White, an uncompromising perfectionist whose virtuoso skills in the field were matched only by his propensity for making enemies; Gen Suwa, a Japanese savant whose deep expertise about teeth rivaled anyone on Earth; Owen Lovejoy, a onetime creationist-turned-paleoanthropologist with radical insights into human locomotion; Berhane Asfaw, who survived imprisonment and torture to become Ethiopia’s most senior paleoanthropologist; Don Johanson, the discoverer of Lucy, who had a rancorous falling out with the Ardi team; and the Leakeys, for decades the most famous family in paleoanthropology. Based on a half-decade of research in Africa, Europe and North America, Fossil Men is not only a brilliant investigation into the origins of the human lineage, but the oldest of human emotions: curiosity, jealousy, perseverance and wonder.By Hans-Dieter Sues, Nicholas Fraser. 2010
The Triassic period is generally viewed as the beginning of the Age of Dinosaurs. For paleontologists, however, it also marks…
the rise of the world's first modern land ecosystems.Over the past three decades, extensive, worldwide fieldwork has led to the discovery of many new species of Triassic animals and plants, suggesting that faunal and floral changes already began in the Middle Triassic and were more protracted than previously thought. The Late Triassic is a pivotal time in the evolution of life on land, with many of the major groups of present-day vertebrates and insects first appearing in the fossil record. This book provides the first detailed overview of life on land during the Triassic period for advanced students and researchers. Noted vertebrate paleontologists Hans-Dieter Sues and Nicholas C. Fraser also review the biotic changes of this period and their possible causes.By Donald R. Prothero. 2015
Every fossil tells a story. Best-selling paleontology author Donald R. Prothero describes twenty-five famous, beautifully preserved fossils in a gripping…
scientific history of life on Earth. Recounting the adventures behind the discovery of these objects and fully interpreting their significance within the larger fossil record, Prothero creates a riveting history of life on our planet. The twenty-five fossils portrayed in this book catch animals in their evolutionary splendor as they transition from one kind of organism to another. We witness extinct plants and animals of microscopic and immense size and thrilling diversity. We learn about fantastic land and sea creatures that have no match in nature today. Along the way, we encounter such fascinating fossils as the earliest trilobite, Olenellus; the giant shark Carcharocles; the "fishibian" Tiktaalik; the "Frogamander" and the "Turtle on the Half-Shell"; enormous marine reptiles and the biggest dinosaurs known; the first bird, Archaeopteryx; the walking whale Ambulocetus; the gigantic hornless rhinoceros Paraceratherium, the largest land mammal that ever lived; and the Australopithecus nicknamed "Lucy," the oldest human skeleton. We meet the scientists and adventurers who pioneered paleontology and learn about the larger intellectual and social contexts in which their discoveries were made. Finally, we find out where to see these splendid fossils in the world's great museums. Ideal for all who love prehistoric landscapes and delight in the history of science, this book makes a treasured addition to any bookshelf, stoking curiosity in the evolution of life on Earth.By Rainer R. Schoch. 2014
This book focuses on the first vertebrates to conquer land and their long journey to become fully independent from the…
water It traces the origin of tetrapod features and tries to explain how and why they transformed into organs that permit life on land Although the major frame of the topic lies in the past 370 million years and necessarily deals with many fossils it is far from restricted to paleontology The aim is to achieve a comprehensive picture of amphibian evolution It focuses on major questions in current paleobiology how diverse were the early tetrapods In which environments did they live and how did they come to be preserved What do we know about the soft body of extinct amphibians and what does that tell us about the evolution of crucial organs during the transition to land How did early amphibians develop and grow and which were the major factors of their evolution The Topics in Paleobiology Series is published in collaboration with the Palaeontological Association and is edited by Professor Mike Benton University of Bristol Books in the series provide a summary of the current state of knowledge a trusted route into the primary literature and will act as pointers for future directions for research As well as volumes on individual groups the series will also deal with topics that have a cross-cutting relevance such as the evolution of significant ecosystems particular key times and events in the history of life climate change and the application of a new techniques such as molecular palaeontology The books are written by leading international experts and will be pitched at a level suitable for advanced undergraduates postgraduates and researchers in both the paleontological and biological sciencesComputational fluid dynamics (CFD), which involves using computers to simulate fluid flow, is emerging as a powerful approach for elucidating…
the palaeobiology of ancient organisms. Here, Imran A. Rahman describes its applications for studying fossil echinoderms. When properly configured, CFD simulations can be used to test functional hypotheses in extinct species, informing on aspects such as feeding and stability. They also show great promise for addressing ecological questions related to the interaction between organisms and their environment. CFD has the potential to become an important tool in echinoderm palaeobiology over the coming years.By John Harris, Mark Hallett. 2020
Big cats such as lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars fascinate us like few other creatures. They are enduring symbols of…
natural majesty and power. Yet despite the magnetic appeal of the big cats, their origins and evolutionary history remain poorly understood—and human activity threatens to put an end to the big cats’ glory.On the Prowl is a fully illustrated and approachable guide to the evolution of the big cats and what it portends for their conservation today. Mark Hallett and John M. Harris trace the origins of these iconic carnivores, venturing down the evolutionary pathways that produced the diversity of big cat species that have walked the earth. They place the evolution and paleobiology of these species in the context of ancient ecosystems and climates, explaining what made big cats such efficient predators and analyzing their competition with other animals. Hallett and Harris pay close attention to human impact, from the evidence of cave paintings and analysis of ancient extinctions up to present-day crises. Their engaging and carefully documented account is brought to life through Hallett’s detailed, vivid illustrations, based on the most recent research by leading paleontologists. Offering a fresh look at the rise of these majestic animals, On the Prowl also makes a powerful case for renewed efforts to protect big cats and their habitats before it is too late.