Fossils : An Essential Guide.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Taylor, Paul D.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Fossils.

Fossils--Classification.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (230 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 2025.

Summary:

With stunning images and an expert guide, explore the world of fossils to uncover the story of life on Earth, from the origins of new life to mass extinctions. Ancient Earth seems like an alien world. But the fossil record can help reveal the mysteries of the organisms that have lived on our planet since its formation some 4,600 million years ago. In this engaging and beautifully illustrated book, world-renowned paleontologist Paul D. Taylor provides a comprehensive guide to all aspects of fossils to tell the story of life on Earth. Taylor begins with the basics: how fossils form, how they mark geological time, and what they tell us about the origins of life and major evolutionary events like the Cambrian Explosion. He then shows the oldest fossils—single-celled bacteria in amazing, three-billion-year-old microbial rock structures—before introducing the first animals in the fossil record. From fishes to amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, we meet these animal fossils in an appropriate evolutionary parade. Next, we imagine plants long past, charting the evolution of this kingdom and learning how ephemeral botanical remains can become permanent records. While comprehensive in his coverage of fossil groups and ages, Taylor pays particular attention to specimens fossil hunters are most likely to encounter, like crinoids and the iconic ammonites. Throughout, he introduces us to fascinating fossil folklore—like the idea that ammonites are the petrified remains of coiled snakes—and helps us distinguish true fossils from fakes. With stunning color images of many original specimens from the collections of London’s Natural History Museum, Fossils is an essential introduction, connecting life on Earth today to the ancient past.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Preface

1 FOSSILS, ROCKS AND GEOLOGICAL TIME

2 THE OLDEST FOSSILS

3 TRILOBITES AND OTHER ARTHROPODS

4 AMMONITES AND THEIR RELATIVES

5 SUPERABUNDANT SHELLS

6 INVERTEBRATES OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES

7 THE PHYLUM OF FIVE: ECHINODERMS

8 FISHES AND AMPHIBIANS: FROM FINS TO FEET

9 REPTILES AND BIRDS: THE RISE OF THE ARCHOSAURS

10 OUR FAMILY AND OTHER MAMMALS

11 FOSSIL PLANTS: THE GREENS JOIN THE PARTY

12 MICROFOSSILS BY THE MILLIONS

13 TRACE FOSSILS: SNAPSHOTS OF ANCIENT BEHAVIOUR

FURTHER INFORMATION

INDEX

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

PICTURE CREDITS

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9780226839400

0226839400

OCLC:

1499927390