In Pursuit of Early Mammals

In Pursuit of Early Mammals

Author: Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska

Publisher: Indiana University Press

Published: 2013-07-12

Total Pages: 282

ISBN-13: 0253008247

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“Mesozoic mammal fossils are the focus of this fascinating book, which reviews both the fossils themselves and the history of their discovery.” —Choice In Pursuit of Early Mammals presents the history of the mammals that lived during the Mesozoic era, the time when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, and describes their origins, anatomy, systematics, paleobiology, and distribution. It also tells the story of the author, a world-renowned specialist on these animals, and the other prominent paleontologists who have studied them. Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska was the first woman to lead large-scale paleontological expeditions, including eight to the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, which brought back important collections of dinosaur, early mammal, and other fossils. She shares the difficulties and pleasures encountered in finding rare fossils and describes the changing views on early mammals made possible by these discoveries. “A thorough review of the current state of early mammalian paleontology presented through the unique historical filter of someone who was at the foremost of the field for over half a century.” —The Quarterly Review of Biology “Whether she’s talking about how mammals evolved their distinctive ear bones, or how she built a cabin out of plywood during a particularly cold field season in the Gobi, you know that a remarkable, passionate person is telling a story of science and adventure in her own words.” —Priscum “A fascinating window into the development of the field . . . The perspective of an individual at the center of these developments is captivating, informative, and has never before been published.” —Gregory P. Wilson, University of Washington


Book Synopsis In Pursuit of Early Mammals by : Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska

Download or read book In Pursuit of Early Mammals written by Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska and published by Indiana University Press. This book was released on 2013-07-12 with total page 282 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “Mesozoic mammal fossils are the focus of this fascinating book, which reviews both the fossils themselves and the history of their discovery.” —Choice In Pursuit of Early Mammals presents the history of the mammals that lived during the Mesozoic era, the time when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, and describes their origins, anatomy, systematics, paleobiology, and distribution. It also tells the story of the author, a world-renowned specialist on these animals, and the other prominent paleontologists who have studied them. Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska was the first woman to lead large-scale paleontological expeditions, including eight to the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, which brought back important collections of dinosaur, early mammal, and other fossils. She shares the difficulties and pleasures encountered in finding rare fossils and describes the changing views on early mammals made possible by these discoveries. “A thorough review of the current state of early mammalian paleontology presented through the unique historical filter of someone who was at the foremost of the field for over half a century.” —The Quarterly Review of Biology “Whether she’s talking about how mammals evolved their distinctive ear bones, or how she built a cabin out of plywood during a particularly cold field season in the Gobi, you know that a remarkable, passionate person is telling a story of science and adventure in her own words.” —Priscum “A fascinating window into the development of the field . . . The perspective of an individual at the center of these developments is captivating, informative, and has never before been published.” —Gregory P. Wilson, University of Washington


The Beginning of the Age of Mammals

The Beginning of the Age of Mammals

Author: Kenneth D. Rose

Publisher: JHU Press

Published: 2006-09-26

Total Pages: 468

ISBN-13: 9780801884726

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Publisher description


Book Synopsis The Beginning of the Age of Mammals by : Kenneth D. Rose

Download or read book The Beginning of the Age of Mammals written by Kenneth D. Rose and published by JHU Press. This book was released on 2006-09-26 with total page 468 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Publisher description


Beasts of Eden

Beasts of Eden

Author: David Rains Wallace

Publisher: Univ of California Press

Published: 2004-05-18

Total Pages: 368

ISBN-13: 0520237315

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Publisher Description


Book Synopsis Beasts of Eden by : David Rains Wallace

Download or read book Beasts of Eden written by David Rains Wallace and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2004-05-18 with total page 368 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Publisher Description


Early Mammals

Early Mammals

Author: D. M. Kermack

Publisher:

Published: 1971

Total Pages: 260

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Early Mammals by : D. M. Kermack

Download or read book Early Mammals written by D. M. Kermack and published by . This book was released on 1971 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Beasts Before Us

Beasts Before Us

Author: Elsa Panciroli

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2021-06-10

Total Pages: 321

ISBN-13: 1472983971

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For most of us, the story of mammal evolution starts after the asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs, but over the last 20 years scientists have uncovered new fossils and used new technologies that have upended this story. In Beasts Before Us, palaeontologist Elsa Panciroli charts the emergence of the mammal lineage, Synapsida, beginning at their murky split from the reptiles in the Carboniferous period, over three-hundred million years ago. They made the world theirs long before the rise of dinosaurs. Travelling forward into the Permian and then Triassic periods, we learn how our ancient mammal ancestors evolved from large hairy beasts with accelerating metabolisms to exploit miniaturisation, which was key to unlocking the traits that define mammals as we now know them. Elsa criss-crosses the globe to explore the sites where discoveries are being made and meet the people who make them. In Scotland, she traverses the desert dunes of prehistoric Moray, where quarry workers unearthed the footprints of Permian creatures from before the time of dinosaurs. In South Africa, she introduces us to animals, once called 'mammal-like reptiles', that gave scientists the first hints that our furry kin evolved from a lineage of egg-laying burrowers. In China, new, complete fossilised skeletons reveal mammals that were gliders, shovel-pawed Jurassic moles, and flat-tailed swimmers. This book radically reframes the narrative of our mammalian ancestors and provides a counterpoint to the stereotypes of mighty dinosaur overlords and cowering little mammals. It turns out the earliest mammals weren't just precursors, they were pioneers.


Book Synopsis Beasts Before Us by : Elsa Panciroli

Download or read book Beasts Before Us written by Elsa Panciroli and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2021-06-10 with total page 321 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For most of us, the story of mammal evolution starts after the asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs, but over the last 20 years scientists have uncovered new fossils and used new technologies that have upended this story. In Beasts Before Us, palaeontologist Elsa Panciroli charts the emergence of the mammal lineage, Synapsida, beginning at their murky split from the reptiles in the Carboniferous period, over three-hundred million years ago. They made the world theirs long before the rise of dinosaurs. Travelling forward into the Permian and then Triassic periods, we learn how our ancient mammal ancestors evolved from large hairy beasts with accelerating metabolisms to exploit miniaturisation, which was key to unlocking the traits that define mammals as we now know them. Elsa criss-crosses the globe to explore the sites where discoveries are being made and meet the people who make them. In Scotland, she traverses the desert dunes of prehistoric Moray, where quarry workers unearthed the footprints of Permian creatures from before the time of dinosaurs. In South Africa, she introduces us to animals, once called 'mammal-like reptiles', that gave scientists the first hints that our furry kin evolved from a lineage of egg-laying burrowers. In China, new, complete fossilised skeletons reveal mammals that were gliders, shovel-pawed Jurassic moles, and flat-tailed swimmers. This book radically reframes the narrative of our mammalian ancestors and provides a counterpoint to the stereotypes of mighty dinosaur overlords and cowering little mammals. It turns out the earliest mammals weren't just precursors, they were pioneers.


The Princeton Field Guide to Prehistoric Mammals

The Princeton Field Guide to Prehistoric Mammals

Author: Donald R. Prothero

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2016-11-15

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 1400884454

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The ultimate illustrated guide to the lost world of prehistoric mammals After the mass extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, mammals became the dominant terrestrial life form on our planet. Roaming the earth were spectacular beasts such as saber-toothed cats, giant mastodonts, immense ground sloths, and gigantic giraffe-like rhinoceroses. Here is the ultimate illustrated field guide to the lost world of these weird and wonderful prehistoric creatures. A woolly mammoth probably won't come thundering through your vegetable garden any time soon. But if one did, this would be the book to keep on your windowsill next to the binoculars. It covers all the main groups of fossil mammals, discussing taxonomy and evolutionary history, and providing concise accounts of the better-known genera and species as well as an up-to-date family tree for each group. No other book presents such a wealth of new information about these animals—what they looked like, how they behaved, and how they were interrelated. In addition, this unique guide is stunningly illustrated throughout with full-color reconstructions of these beasts—many never before depicted—along with photographs of amazing fossils from around the world. Provides an up-to-date guidebook to hundreds of extinct species, from saber-toothed cats to giant mammoths Features a wealth of color illustrations, including new reconstructions of many animals never before depicted Demonstrates evolution in action—such as how whales evolved from hoofed mammals and how giraffes evolved from creatures with short necks Explains how mass extinctions and climate change affected mammals, including why some mammals grew so huge


Book Synopsis The Princeton Field Guide to Prehistoric Mammals by : Donald R. Prothero

Download or read book The Princeton Field Guide to Prehistoric Mammals written by Donald R. Prothero and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2016-11-15 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The ultimate illustrated guide to the lost world of prehistoric mammals After the mass extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, mammals became the dominant terrestrial life form on our planet. Roaming the earth were spectacular beasts such as saber-toothed cats, giant mastodonts, immense ground sloths, and gigantic giraffe-like rhinoceroses. Here is the ultimate illustrated field guide to the lost world of these weird and wonderful prehistoric creatures. A woolly mammoth probably won't come thundering through your vegetable garden any time soon. But if one did, this would be the book to keep on your windowsill next to the binoculars. It covers all the main groups of fossil mammals, discussing taxonomy and evolutionary history, and providing concise accounts of the better-known genera and species as well as an up-to-date family tree for each group. No other book presents such a wealth of new information about these animals—what they looked like, how they behaved, and how they were interrelated. In addition, this unique guide is stunningly illustrated throughout with full-color reconstructions of these beasts—many never before depicted—along with photographs of amazing fossils from around the world. Provides an up-to-date guidebook to hundreds of extinct species, from saber-toothed cats to giant mammoths Features a wealth of color illustrations, including new reconstructions of many animals never before depicted Demonstrates evolution in action—such as how whales evolved from hoofed mammals and how giraffes evolved from creatures with short necks Explains how mass extinctions and climate change affected mammals, including why some mammals grew so huge


Mammals from the Age of Dinosaurs

Mammals from the Age of Dinosaurs

Author: Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska

Publisher: Columbia University Press

Published: 2004-11-24

Total Pages: 649

ISBN-13: 0231509278

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The fossil record on Mesozoic mammals has expanded by orders of magnitude over the past quarter century. New specimens, some of them breathtakingly complete, have been found in nearly all parts of the globe at a rapid pace. Coupled with the application of new scientific approaches and techniques, these exciting discoveries have led to profound changes in our interpretation of early mammal history. Mesozoic mammals have come into their own as a rich source of information for evolutionary biology. Their record of episodic, successive radiations speaks to the pace and mode of evolution. Early mammals were small, but they provide key information on the morphological transformations that led to modern mammals, including our own lineage of Placentalia. Significant and fast-evolving elements of the terrestrial biota for much of the Mesozoic, early mammals have played an increasingly important role in studies of paleoecology, faunal turnover, and historical biogeography. The record of early mammals occupies center stage for testing molecular evolutionary hypotheses on the timing and sequence of mammalian radiations. Organized according to phylogeny, this book covers all aspects of the anatomy, paleobiology, and systematics of all early mammalian groups, in addition to the extant mammalian lineages extending back into the Mesozoic.


Book Synopsis Mammals from the Age of Dinosaurs by : Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska

Download or read book Mammals from the Age of Dinosaurs written by Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska and published by Columbia University Press. This book was released on 2004-11-24 with total page 649 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The fossil record on Mesozoic mammals has expanded by orders of magnitude over the past quarter century. New specimens, some of them breathtakingly complete, have been found in nearly all parts of the globe at a rapid pace. Coupled with the application of new scientific approaches and techniques, these exciting discoveries have led to profound changes in our interpretation of early mammal history. Mesozoic mammals have come into their own as a rich source of information for evolutionary biology. Their record of episodic, successive radiations speaks to the pace and mode of evolution. Early mammals were small, but they provide key information on the morphological transformations that led to modern mammals, including our own lineage of Placentalia. Significant and fast-evolving elements of the terrestrial biota for much of the Mesozoic, early mammals have played an increasingly important role in studies of paleoecology, faunal turnover, and historical biogeography. The record of early mammals occupies center stage for testing molecular evolutionary hypotheses on the timing and sequence of mammalian radiations. Organized according to phylogeny, this book covers all aspects of the anatomy, paleobiology, and systematics of all early mammalian groups, in addition to the extant mammalian lineages extending back into the Mesozoic.


Early Mammals

Early Mammals

Author: D. M. Kermack

Publisher:

Published: 1971

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Early Mammals by : D. M. Kermack

Download or read book Early Mammals written by D. M. Kermack and published by . This book was released on 1971 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Mesozoic Mammals

Mesozoic Mammals

Author: Jason A. Lillegraven

Publisher: Univ of California Press

Published: 1979

Total Pages: 332

ISBN-13: 9780520035829

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Book Synopsis Mesozoic Mammals by : Jason A. Lillegraven

Download or read book Mesozoic Mammals written by Jason A. Lillegraven and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 1979 with total page 332 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


The Origin and Evolution of Mammals

The Origin and Evolution of Mammals

Author: Thomas Stainforth Kemp

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 331

ISBN-13: 9780198507604

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The Synapsida are the 'mammal-like' reptiles and mammals, a group that diverged from a common ancestor shared with reptiles and birds about 340 million years. The fossil record of the synapsids is extraordinarily good, and documents the three phases of the history of the group, each one of which points to important evolutionary generalisations as well as relating an intrinsically fascinating story. The first stage leads from the origin of the group to the earliest mammals. The non-mammalian synapsids constituted the first radiation of fully terrestrial vertebrates, dominating the land long before the dinosaurs displaced them and took over that role. The fossil record illustrates the relationship between this radiation and the environmental conditions of the Permo-Triassic when it occurred. It also illustrates to a far greater degree than any other fossil record the origin of a major new taxon. The sequence of acquisition of mammalian structures and functions inferred from the fossils leads to an interpretation about the processes involved in the evolution of mammalian biological organisation. The second stage is the Mesozoic history of mammals. Throughout the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods, mammals remained small, insectivorous or omnivorous animals living a nocturnal existence. They were abundant and diverse, but failed completely to evolve into any of the middle-sized and large-sized forms familiar amongst today's mammals. This is usually, though not completely satisfactorily, explained by competitive exclusion by dinosaurs. The third stage is the great Cenozoic radiation of mammals. From the moment the dinosaurs disappeared 65 million years ago, new kinds of mammals proceeded to evolve. Medium and large bodied herbivore and carnivore groups appeared early, and from then onwards a kaleidoscope of origins, flourishings, and extinctions of lineages of mammals took place. This great story interweaves changing climates, shifting continents, ecological opportunities, and the fulfilment of the adaptive potential of Mammalia. The latest molecular evidence that is having a huge impact on ideas about the timing and origins of the modern mammalian taxa is discussed along with the fossil evidence. The book reviews these three stages in turn, bringing up to date the palaeontological evidence and incorporating the molecular taxonomic data that has been rapidly accumulating over the last few years, and which is responsible for a series of exciting, radicalnew ideas about relationships amongst mammals and their inferred palaeo-biogeographic history.


Book Synopsis The Origin and Evolution of Mammals by : Thomas Stainforth Kemp

Download or read book The Origin and Evolution of Mammals written by Thomas Stainforth Kemp and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2005 with total page 331 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Synapsida are the 'mammal-like' reptiles and mammals, a group that diverged from a common ancestor shared with reptiles and birds about 340 million years. The fossil record of the synapsids is extraordinarily good, and documents the three phases of the history of the group, each one of which points to important evolutionary generalisations as well as relating an intrinsically fascinating story. The first stage leads from the origin of the group to the earliest mammals. The non-mammalian synapsids constituted the first radiation of fully terrestrial vertebrates, dominating the land long before the dinosaurs displaced them and took over that role. The fossil record illustrates the relationship between this radiation and the environmental conditions of the Permo-Triassic when it occurred. It also illustrates to a far greater degree than any other fossil record the origin of a major new taxon. The sequence of acquisition of mammalian structures and functions inferred from the fossils leads to an interpretation about the processes involved in the evolution of mammalian biological organisation. The second stage is the Mesozoic history of mammals. Throughout the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods, mammals remained small, insectivorous or omnivorous animals living a nocturnal existence. They were abundant and diverse, but failed completely to evolve into any of the middle-sized and large-sized forms familiar amongst today's mammals. This is usually, though not completely satisfactorily, explained by competitive exclusion by dinosaurs. The third stage is the great Cenozoic radiation of mammals. From the moment the dinosaurs disappeared 65 million years ago, new kinds of mammals proceeded to evolve. Medium and large bodied herbivore and carnivore groups appeared early, and from then onwards a kaleidoscope of origins, flourishings, and extinctions of lineages of mammals took place. This great story interweaves changing climates, shifting continents, ecological opportunities, and the fulfilment of the adaptive potential of Mammalia. The latest molecular evidence that is having a huge impact on ideas about the timing and origins of the modern mammalian taxa is discussed along with the fossil evidence. The book reviews these three stages in turn, bringing up to date the palaeontological evidence and incorporating the molecular taxonomic data that has been rapidly accumulating over the last few years, and which is responsible for a series of exciting, radicalnew ideas about relationships amongst mammals and their inferred palaeo-biogeographic history.