Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record

Michael J. Benton is Professor of Vertebrate Palaeontology at the University of Bristol. He is interested particularly in early reptiles, Triassic dinosaurs and macroevolution, and has published 50 books and over 400 scientific articles. He founded the Masters in Paleobiology degree at Bristol, which has now graduated over 400 students. David A.T. Harper is a leading expert on fossil brachiopods, numerical methods in paleontology and Phanerozoic stratigraphy. He is Professor of Paleontology, and Principal of Van Mildert College in Durham University. He has published over 15 books and monographs, including a couple of influential textbooks, as well as over 300 scientific articles and, together with Øyvind Hammer, the widely-used software package PAST.

• Preface xiAcknowledgments xiii1 Paleontology as a science 1Introduction 2Paleontology in the modern world 2Paleontology as a science 3Steps to understanding 12Fossils and evolution 16Paleontology today 17Review questions 23Further reading 23References 242 Stratigraphy 25Introduction 26How stratigraphy works 26New techniques, new tools 40Geological time scale: a common language 46Extraterrestrial stratigraphy 47Review questions 48Further reading 48References 493 Paleogeography and paleoclimates 50Paleobiogeography 50Fossils in mountain belts 64Paleoclimates 69The Anthropocene 76Review questions 77Further reading 77References 774 Paleoecology 80Introduction 81Taphonomic constraints: sifting through the debris 83Populations: can groups of individuals make a difference? 85Habitats and niches 86Paleocommunities 95Evolutionary paleoecology 100Ecological ranking of mass extinctions 110Full contents viiReview questions 112Further reading 112References 1125 Taphonomy and the quality of the fossil record 115Introduction 116Fossil preservation 116Quality of the fossil record 130Review questions 137Further reading 138References 1386 Fossil form and function 140Introduction 141Growth and form 141Evolution and development 147Interpreting the function of fossils 152Review questions 163Further reading 164References 1647 Macroevolution and the tree of life 165Introduction 166Evolution by natural selection 167Evolution and the fossil record 170Trends and radiations 179The tree of life 184Review questions 191Further reading 191References 1918 Biodiversity, extinction, and mass extinction 193Introduction 194The diversification of life 195Mass extinctions 202The “big five” mass extinction events 207Extinction then and now 215Review questions 220Further reading 220References 2219 The origin of life 223Introduction 224The origin of life 224Evidence for the origin of life 228Life diversifies: eukaryotes 236Review questions 245Further reading 246References 24610 Protists 248Introduction 249Protozoa 252Mystery protists of the proterozoic and paleozoic 260Phytoplankton 266Review questions 277Further reading 277References 27711 Origin and expansion of the metazoans 279Origins and classification 280Invertebrate body and skeletal plans 284Five key faunas 289Review questions 304Further reading 304References 30412 The basal metazoans: sponges and corals 306Introduction 307Porifera 307Cnidaria 322Review questions 341Further reading 342References 34213 Lophophorates 1: brachiopods and bryozoans 344Introduction 345Brachiopoda 345Bryozoa 360Review questions 369Further reading 370References 37014 Lophotrochozoans 2: mollusks and annelids 372Mollusks 372Introduction 373Early mollusks 375Class Bivalvia 380Class Gastropoda 384Class Cephalopoda 390Class Scaphopoda 403Class Rostroconcha 403Evolutionary trends within the Mollusca 404Annelids 406Review questions 410Further reading 410References 41015 Ecdysozoa: arthropods 412Introduction 413Early arthropod faunas 413Subphylum Trilobitomorpha (artiopoda) 416Subphylum Chelicerata 428Subphylum Myriapoda 430Subphylum Hexapoda 430Subphylum Crustacea 433Exceptional arthropod faunas through time 438Review questions 442Further reading 442References 44316 Deuterostomes: echinoderms and hemichordates 445Introduction 446Echinoderms 446Hemichordates 468Review questions 484Further reading 484References 48417 Fishes and basal tetrapods 486Introduction 487Origin of the vertebrates 487Jaws and fish evolution 492Tetrapods 498Reign of the reptiles 503Review questions 510Further reading 510References 51118 Dinosaurs and mammals 512Introduction 513Dinosaurs and their kin 513Bird evolution 521Rise of the mammals 522The line to humans 530Review questions 536Further reading 536References 53719 Fossil plants and fungi 538Introduction 539Terrestrialization of plants 539The great coal forests 547Seed-bearing plants 552Flowering plants 562Review questions 568Further reading 568References 56820 Trace fossils 570Introduction 571Understanding trace fossils 571Trace fossils in sediments 578Review questions 592Further reading 592References 592Finale 594Glossary 598Appendix 1: Stratigraphic chart 617Appendix 2: Paleogeographic maps 619Index 620