Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record

by Michael J. Benton, David A.T. Harper

This book presents a comprehensive overview of the science of the history of life. Paleobiologists bring many analytical tools to bear in interpreting the fossil record and the book introduces the latest techniques, from multivariate investigations of biogeography and biostratigraphy to engineering analysis of dinosaur skulls, and from homeobox genes to cladistics. All the well-known fossil groups are included, including microfossils and invertebrates, but an important feature is the thorough coverage of plants, vertebrates and trace fossils together with discussion of the origins of both life and the metazoans. All key related subjects are introduced, such as systematics, ecology, evolution and development, stratigraphy and their roles in understanding where life came from and how it evolved and diversified. Unique features of the book are the numerous case studies from current research that lead students to the primary literature, analytical and mathematical explanations and tools, together with associated problem sets and practical schedules for instructors and students.

Genres: Science, Palaeontology, Nonfiction, Evolution, Geology, Dinosaurs, Textbooks

592 pages, Paperback

First published September 26, 2008

About the author

Michael J. Benton FRS is Professor of Vertebrate Palaeontology at the University of Bristol. He is particularly interested in early reptiles, Triassic dinosaurs, and macroevolution, and has published over 50 books and 300 scientific articles. He leads one of the most successful palaeontology research groups at the University of Bristol, and has supervised over 60 PhD students.

Reviews

[Beebo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book's coverage was more than I needed. I can see the whole thing being a necessity for paleobio/logy majors, but I would not recommend it to casual readers. Chapters 1-3 as well as 6 suffice for an introduction. It covers topics such as timeline of paleontological thought, essential stratigraphic concepts(Steno's Law), as well as taphonomy. The Signor-Lipps in particular stood out to me as it has many implications regarding early scientific consensus on fossils and extinction.

[Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice and comprehensive introduction to paleobio. The prose is excellent--easy to understand, yet very detailed, with well-defined vocabulary. It was very useful that the book referenced itself with actual page numbers. There is also a surprising amount of mathematics (multivariate spaces, probability) that the book touches on, which I found to be the most interesting sections.

-- Future Computational Paleontologist (?)

[Rachel Welton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the whole thing from cover to cover, despite being told that isn't what you do with text books. It is a comprehensive and detailed look at the evolution of each group. Occasionally the nomenclature of structure baffled me, but mostly it was well written enough so that I could follow even the groups I knew little about.

[Teddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very comprehensive & helpful. This was my primary text for my first undergrad paleontology course.

[Baba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it purely by sudden interest in paleontology, very friendly-written and really interesting.