Fossil Invertebrates - Hardcover

Taylor, Paul D.; Lewis, David N.

3.89

9 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0565091832 ISBN 13: 9780565091835

Publisher: Harvard University Press, 2005

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When searching at almost any fossil site, a collector is more likely to come across an invertebrate fossil than any other kind. This book is a marvellously detailed and accessible resource designed to unravel and interpret this rich fossil record. Ideal for any undergraduate or amateur fossil enthusiast, it covers all major groups of fossil invertebrates and provides illustrated descriptions of selected genera..."Fossil Invertebrates" is a window into the ancient Earth when the seas teemed with ammonites, corals, sponges, molluscs, crinoids and trilobites. The sheer abundance of their fossils reflects the fact that many invertebrates, with solid, decay-resistant shells, were perfectly designed to become fossils. Many of these fossilised creatures have close relatives alive today, and the book demonstrates how the fossil record can shed light on today's fauna.

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About the Author:

Paul Taylor has worked in the Department of Palaeontology at the Natural History Museum, London for 25 years. David Lewis has worked at the Natural History Museum, London for almost 41 years and is Collections Manager for invertebrates.

Review:

A richly illustrated guide to fossil invertebrates and related modern species...Paul D. Taylor and David N. Lewis, scientists at the Natural History Museum, London, provide a guided tour of five major groups of boneless animals whose histories can be traced in the fossil record...This book can be appreciated on multiple levels. As a feast for the eye, it can be leafed through at leisure or studied by students of art and photography. For students of biology and earth history, it provides an overview of major groups of organisms and their fossil...The book will amply reward the attention given it by the interested layman or interested student. (Donald R. Franceschetti Magill Book Reviews)

When people think of fossils, they usually think of dinosaur fossils. But the majority of fossils that have been discovered belong to invertebrates, those members of the animal kingdom lacking a backbone. Taylor and Lewis, both of the Natural History Museum in London, take readers back in time millions of years ago, when seas were filled with ammonites, corals, sponges, mollusks, trilobites, and crinoids. Fossils reveal the diversity of life that existed in the past and show what is still present--e.g., horseshoe crabs and the chambered nautilus. The authors provide a comprehensive compendium of information regarding every aspect relating to invertebrate fossils: history, general descriptions, and specifics related to all types of shells and fossils discovered. Numerous plates augment the text and provide visual reference points for readers. This book is an invaluable resource. (Gloria Maxwell Library Journal(starred review) 2005-10-15)

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