Gerald Mayr

Paleogene Fossil Birds (eBook, PDF)

• Format: PDF

Produktbeschreibung

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.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Springer Berlin
• Erscheinungstermin: 21. April 2009
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9783540896289
• Artikelnr.: 43788572

Autorenporträt

Gerald Mayr is a German zoologist, who is head of the Ornithological Section of the Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt am Main, Hesse. He published widely on fossil avifaunas, particularly from the Paleogene of Europe, North America, and New Zealand. His research interests also comprise the phylogenetic relationships, skeletal morphology, and evolutionary history of extant birds.

Inhaltsangabe

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 – synopsis of general aspects.

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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.

Rezensionen

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)