Evolution and the Fossil Record

John Pojeta Jr., Dale Springer0922152578, 9780922152575

Evolution and the Fossil Record, an eye-catching booklet produced by the American Geological Institute in cooperation with the Paleontological Society, aims to help the general public gain a better understanding of one of the fundamental underlying concepts of modern science. This booklet has many colorful photos, drawings, and illustrations which complement the authors’ conversational style as they discuss geologic time; change through time; Darwin’s theory of evolution; evolution as a mechanism for change; the nature of species; the nature of theory; paleontology, geology, and evolution; and determining the age of fossils and rocks. Four “case study” examples from the fossil record – evolution of vertebrate legs, evolution of birds, evolution of mammals, and evolution of whales – are presented to provide a time perspective for understanding the evolution of life on Earth. This non-technical introduction to evolution contains straightforward definitions as well as discussions of complex ideas.

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Table of contents :
Evolution and the Fossil Record……Page 1
Credits……Page 4
Contents……Page 5
Foreword……Page 7
The Fossil Record……Page 11
Change Through Time……Page 12
Darwin’s Revolutionary Theory……Page 14
The Nature of Species……Page 18
The Nature of Theory……Page 20
Paleontology, Geology, and Evolution……Page 21
Dating the Fossil Record……Page 24
Examples of Evolution……Page 26
Evolution of vertebrate legs……Page 27
Evolution of mammals……Page 28
Evolution of whales……Page 30
Glossary……Page 32
References Cited……Page 33
Suggested Readings……Page 35