Early Vertebrates - Couverture rigide

Janvier, Phillippe

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0198540477 ISBN 13 : 9780198540472

Editeur : Oxford University Press, 1996

Synopsis

This book presents our current knowledge of the early vertebrates, which were mainly fish, but included some land vertebrates, and lived about 470 to 250 million years ago. It centres on anatomical and phylogenetic questions, but includes information about fossil discovery and preparation, as well as the analysis of the characteristics from which their relationships may be reconstructed. It addresses critically both old and new problems in the evolution of certain anatomical structures and deals briefly with the animals' way of life, extinction, and former distribution. In addition, the author gives a potted history of the field of vertebrate palaeontology and the rise of cladistics, a major methodological revolution in comparative biology. The book is the first in theif field to use a cladistic approach. For each major vertebrate group, the reader will find a diagram of relationships, or cladogram, with a selection of characters at each node, and a cuccinct phylogenetic classification. The book is illustrated with numerous line drawings, culminating in a series of reconstructions of early vertebrates and their environment, which may have a more popular appeal. This book is intended for palaeontologists, geologists, vertebrate biologists.

A propos du livre

Revue de presse

Review from previous edition Philippe Janvier has excelled himself with this landmark publication, which surely ranks as a modern classic. No other textbook has dealt so clearly with the origins and early evolution of vertebrates. Each chapter is lucidly written and important anatomical features are clearly illustrated, providing just the right level of technical information without getting bogged down with details. This is an essential source book for teachers and students of vertebrate anatomy and evolution. (John G. Maisey, American Museum of Natural History, Nature, 10 April 1997)

Janvier's well-written overview of the pattern of early vertebrate evolution is thus a welcome synthesis, presenting a complete survey of early vertebrate fossils, their anatomy, and their phylogenetic relationships as currently understood ... one can read the book selectively, focusing on those sections that detail significant vertebrate innovations and the origins of major clades. (George V. Lauder, University of California, Irvine, Science, Vol. 276, April 1997)

Clearly written...lucid and supported phylogenetic opinions. This is a great source for projects, essays, reference material and, most importantly, an aothoritative statement of our current knowledge.bPETER FOREY for the departement of Palaeontology of the Natural History Museum of London

absolutely packed with information: the range of taxa covered is enormous...the clarity is there is the running text and his lovely illustrations, and the copious figure legends; the interdisciplinary nature of the work is reflected in his approach to the whole subject matter...a beautiful piece of work, rich in information, well-crafted text, and clearly illustrated throughout - I take my hat off to the author. (David B. Norman, Geological Magazine, vol 135 - pt 3, 1998)

...a bench mark in the subject. It is full of information, well-written and presented, but above all wise. You come away with the feeling that this book has been written by someone who not only knows a great deal about his subject, but also cares about it with some passion. It is actually inspiring to my mind in a way that few books in the subject area of vertebrate paleontology have managed since those of Al Romer and E.C. Olson. (David B. Norman, Geological Magazine, vol 135 -pt 3, 1998)

Présentation de l'éditeur

This book presents our current knowledge of the early vertebrates, which were mainly fish, but included some land vertebrates, and lived 470 to 250 million years ago. It centres on anatomical and phylogenetic questions, but includes information about fossil discovery and preparation, as well as the analysis of the characteristics from which their relationships may be reconstructed. It addresses critically both old and new problems in the evolution of certain anatomical structures and deals briefly with the animals' way of life, extinction, and former distribution. In addition, the author gives a potted history of the field of vertebrate palaentology and the rise of cladistics, a cmajor methodological revolution in comparative biology. The book is the first in this field to use a cladistic approach. For each major vertebrate group, the reader will find a diagram or relationships, or cladogram, with a selection of characters at each node, and a succinct phlyogenetic classification.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Oxford University Press
• Date d'édition: 1996
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0198540477
• ISBN 13: 9780198540472
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 406
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: Ufficio Anagrafiche Messaggerie; ufficio.anagrafiche@meli.it; ; Via Verdi, 8; Assago Milano; 20090; Italie