Species and Speciation in the Fossil Record

In “Species and Speciation in the Fossil Record” experts in the field delve into how they conceptualize species of fossil animals, shedding light on the intricacies and nuances that surround this fundamental unit of biological classification. Their examination of different approaches underscores the challenges and implications these varying perspectives pose for our understanding of species within the broader context of macroevolution.

In “Species and Speciation in the Fossil Record” Book, experts in the field examine how they conceive of species of fossil animals and consider the implications these different approaches have for thinking about species in the context of macroevolution.

In the wake of presenting Modern Synthesis views within evolutionary disciplines and detailing quantitative methods for appraising variation in fossil assemblages within paleobiology, contributors grapple with the intricate challenges tied to identifying and defining species from fossil remnants.

They not only proffer pragmatic solutions to these quandaries but also, through a comprehensive examination of speciation’s pace and modalities across temporal scales, compellingly establish that under meticulous interpretation and a clearly articulated species concept, fossil species can undeniably furnish robust foundations for substantive paleobiological inquiries.

Their research underscores that by honing the species concept, we have the potential to unearth valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of species origins and extinctions, the interactions between local and global climate shifts, and ultimately, enhance our understanding of life’s evolutionary journey.

Contents

• Introduction: Taking Fossil Species Seriously
• Chapter 1: The “Species Concept” and the Beginnings of Paleobiology
• Chapter 2: The Species Problem: Concepts, Conflicts, and Patterns Preserved in the Fossil Record
• Chapter 3: Studying Species in the Fossil Record: A Review and Recommendations for a More Unified Approach
• Chapter 4: The Stages of Speciation: A Stepwise Framework for Analysis of Speciation in the Fossil Record
• Chapter 5: Morphology and Molecules: An Integrated Comparison of Phenotypic and Genetic Rates of Evolution
• Chapter 6: Fitting Ancestral Age-Dependent Speciation Models to Fossil Data
• Chapter 7: Contrasting Patterns of Speciation in Reef Corals and Their Relationship to Population Connectivity
• Chapter 8: Towards a Model for Speciation in Ammonoids
• Chapter 9: Species of Decapoda (Crustacea) in the Fossil Record: Patterns, Problems, and Progress
• Chapter 10: Fossil Species as Data: A Perspective from
• Chapter 11:  Species and the Fossil Record of Fishes
• Chapter 12:  The Impact of Invasive Species on Speciation: Lessons
• Chapter 13:  Fossil Species Lineages and Their Defining Traits: Taxonomic “Usefulness” and Evolutionary Modes
• Chapter 14:  Geographic Clines, Chronoclines, and the Fossil Record: Implications for Speciation Theory