Around 210 million years ago, life on Earth experienced sweeping changes. Many archaic reptiles and mammalian predecessors became extinct and were replaced by dinosaurs, pterosaurs, crocodiles, turtles, mammals, and essentially all of the major modern vertebrate groups except the birds. This period of change, which took place over a period of approximately five to ten million years, ushered in the beginning of the 'Age of Dinosaurs,' a period that lasted 160 million years to the end of the Cretaceous 65 million years ago. In the past decade, paleontologists have come to know a great deal more about this crucial interval of time. New discoveries, ideas, and insights from scientists in many related- disciplines have created new paradigms about the beginning of the 'Age of Dinosaurs.' What were the animals that preceded the dinosaurs like? How did the dinosaurs originate, and what do we know of their early history? Was their ascent tied to evolutionary innovations, global climatic and ecological changes, or just chance factors? How do paleontologists decide about the evidence preserved in the fossil record, and what areas now require major thought and reevaluation? In this book, 31 specialists in the paleontology of this era consider these and other questions related to Late Triassic and Early Jurassic times - the beginning of the 'Age of Dinosaurs,' its fauna, flora, climate, stratigraphic relationships, and major evolutionary changes. The book is divided into sections on background, Late Triassic taxa and faunas, changes across the boundary, Early Jurassic taxa and faunas, and major macroevolutionary patterns. This comprehensive volume is richly illustrated and is intended for students and professionals in the areas of paleontology, evolutionary biology, geology, and vertebrate zoology. Introductory and summary chapters are provided to acquaint the non-specialist with the issues and the setting of this interval of time in which the ancestral components of the modem fauna, as well as the Dinosauria, first appeared to rule the Earth.
Reviews
'The book is an important assemblage of current and recent research on a critical 'moment' in the history of terrestrial vertebrate life. It will be an important reference for years to come for everyone interested in the Triassic-Jurassic faunal transition.' American Scientist
'The book contains a wealth of material, newly discovered or newly synthesized, on the terrestrial fossil record near the Triassic Jurassic boundary ... the book as a whole, and many of the contributions therein, will be valuable to anyone interested in large-scale evolutionary problems.' Journal of Geology
'This is a broadly conceived and detailed study of a particular interval in the continental record. Anyone interested in the continental Mesozoic, the evolution of the vertebrate communities, or dinosaurs will want to have a copy.' Geology
'This well-edited book is a most valuable contribution to the understanding of the emergence of dinosaurs. Even the relatively novice reader will find the summary chapters clearly understandable.' Choice



Book Information
ISBN 9780521367790
Author Kevin Padian
Format Paperback
Page Count 404
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 720g
Dimensions(mm) 254mm * 177mm * 27mm