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Paleogene Fossil Birds

Gerald Mayr (Autor)

Buch | Hardcover

XIII, 262 Seiten

2009 | 2009
Springer Berlin (Verlag)
978-3-540-89627-2 (ISBN)

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In the present book the Paleogene fossil record of birds is detailed for the first time on a worldwide scale. I have developed the idea for such a project for several years, and think that it is an appropriate moment to present a summary of our c- rent knowledge of the early evolution of modern birds. Meanwhile not only is there a confusing diversity of fossil taxa, but also significant progress has been made concerning an understanding of the higher-level phylogeny of extant birds. Hypotheses which were not considered even a decade ago are now well supported by independent analyses of different data. In several cases these group together morphologically very different avian groups and allow a better understanding of the mosaic character distribution found in Paleogene fossil birds. The book aims at bringing some of this information together, and many of the following data are based on first-hand examination of fossil specimens.

Stratigraphy and major fossil localities.- Higher-level phylogeny of extant birds.- Mesozoic Neornithes.- Palaeognathous birds.- Galloanseres.- Aquatic and semiaquatic taxa.- Charadriiformes (shorebirds and allies).- "Core-Gruiformes" (Rails, Cranes, and Allies).- Phoenicopteriformes (flamingos) and Podicipediformes (grebes).- Columbiformes (doves and sandgrouse), Cuculiformes (cuckoos), and other neoavian taxa of uncertain affinities.- "Caprimulgiformes" and Apodiformes (Nightjars and Allies, Swifts, and Hummingbirds).- Cariamae (seriemas and allies).- "Falconiformes" (Diurnal Birds of Prey).- Strigiformes (owls).- Arboreal birds.- Paleogene avifaunas âEUR" synopsis of general aspects.

From the reviews:

"This book presents the first detailed review of the Paleogene avian fossil record on a worldwide scale. Included in the book are several black-and-white photos of the actual fossil specimens. Anyone with an interest in avian or Paleogene paleontology will want this book!" (GrrlScientist, Birdbooker Report 75: Living the Scientific Life, July, 2009)

"The volume is largely made up of commentaries on the skeletal material ... and includes biogeographic and paleoecologic assessments of faunas. ... The book contains photographs of many of the systematically important materials ... . References to previous publications are exhaustively numerous. This is a book for specialists. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students and above." (D. Bardack, Choice, Vol. 47 (3), November, 2009)

Erscheint lt. Verlag	7.4.2009
Zusatzinfo	XIII, 262 p.
Verlagsort	Berlin
Sprache	englisch
Maße	155 x 235 mm
Gewicht	594 g
Themenwelt	Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie ► Evolution
	Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie ► Zoologie
	Naturwissenschaften ► Geowissenschaften ► Mineralogie / Paläontologie
Schlagworte	biogeography • birds, fossil • Evolution • Model vertebrates • Morphology • Ornithologie • Ornithology • Paleontologie, Wirbeltiere • paleontology, vertebrate • Phylogeny • Systematics • Vögel, fossile
ISBN-10	3-540-89627-9 / 3540896279
ISBN-13	978-3-540-89627-2 / 9783540896272
Zustand	Neuware