The present book is the first detailed review of the Paleogene avian fossil record on a worldwide scale. Numerous well-preserved fossil bird remains from this geological period, which covers the time span from the end of the Mesozoicera to the beginning of the Miocene, have been described in the past two decades. Some of these not only provide information on morphological transformations in the evolutionary history of the extant avian taxa, but are also of greatsignificance for an understanding of their historical biogeography. Others represent extinct taxa which sometimes show a bizarre morphology not found in modern birds, such as the giant pseudo-toothed birds which reached wingspans up to six meters. Up-to-date and comprehensive overview of the Paleogene avian fossil record for vertebrate paleontologists and ornithologists interested in the evolutionary history of birds First study which is exclusively devoted to the Paleogene fossil record of birds on a worldwide scale
- ISBN: 978-3-540-89627-2
- Editorial: Springer
- Encuadernacion: Cartoné
- Páginas: 255
- Fecha Publicación: 01/03/2009
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: Inglés