Palaeogeography and Palaeobiogeography: Biodiversity in Space and Time

ISBN-13: 9781420045512 / Angielski / Twarda / 2011 / 239 str.

Paul Upchurch; Alistair McGowan; Claire Slater

Opis

Biogeography represents one of the most complex and challenging aspects of macroevolutionary research, requiring input from both the earth and life sciences. Palaeogeographic reconstruction is frequently carried out by researchers with backgrounds in geology and palaeontology, who are less likely to be familiar with the latest biogeographic techniques: conversely, biogeographic methods are often devised by neontologists who may be less familiar with the fossil record, stratigraphy, and palaeogeography. Palaeogeography and Palaeobiogeography: Biodiversity in Space and Time bridges the gap between these two communities of researchers, who work on the same issues but typically use different types of data. The book covers a range of topics, and reflects some of the major overall questions in the field such as:

• Which approaches are best suited to reconstructing biogeographic histories under a range of circumstances?
• How do we maximize the use of organismal and earth sciences data to improve our understanding of events in earth history?
• How well do analytical techniques devised for researching the biogeography of extant organisms perform in the fossil record?
• Can alternative biodiversity metrics, particularly those based on morphological measurements, enhance our understanding of biogeographic patterns and processes?

This book approaches palaeobiogeography with coverage of technological applications and detailed case studies. It spans a wide selection of overlapping and integrative disciplines, including evolutionary theory, vicariance biogeography, extinctions, and the philosophical aspects of palaeogeography. It also highlights new technological innovations and applications for research. Presenting a unique discussion of both palaeogeography and palaeobiogeography in one volume, this book focuses both historically and philosophically on the interface between geology, climate, and organismal distribution.

Spis treści

Biogeographical Convergence and Time-Slicing: Concepts and Methods in Comparative Biogeography. Phylogenetic Methods in Palaeobiogeography: Changing from Simplicity to Complexity Without Losing Parsimony. Uncertainties in Phanerozoic Global Continental Reconstructions and Their Biogeographical Implications: A Review. Boundaries and Barriers of North American Warm Deserts: An Evolutionary Perspective. Integrating GIS and Phylogenetic Biogeography to Assess Species-Level Biogeographic Patterns: A Case Study of Late Devonian Faunal Dynamics. A Case Study of the Palaeobiogeography of Early Mesozoic Actinopterygians: The Family Ptycholepidae. Disparity as a Complement to Taxonomy and Phylogeny in Biogeographic Studies: Present and Past Examples from the Cephalopods.