New approaches to speciation in the fossil record

About this book

New Approaches to Speciation in the Fossil Record provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive examination of recent advances in the analysis of speciation since then. This collection of case studies seeks to reexamine the understanding of the speciation patterns that appear in the fossil record through stringent analysis of the patterns and their presumed processes. The contributions address the questions of speciation by conducting specific, detailed studies of particular lineages. The rigorous techniques of morphological analysis, quantitative genetic analysis, phylogenetic analysis, and sedimentary completeness are employed to offer a fresh look at speciation. New Approaches to Speciation in the Fossil Record is divided into three sections. The first part gives a historical perspective on the issues under consideration, and explores the current debates and future directions for research. In Part II, five case studies describe speciation patterns, while raising significant methodological issues for further inquiry. The third section looks at the large-scale macroevolutionary issues that affect patterns in the fossil record. The new perspectives revealed here make this a unique resource for students, teachers, and professionals in the fields of paleontology and evolutionary biology.