Gerald Mayr

Paleogene Fossil Birds (eBook, PDF)

• Format: PDF

Produktbeschreibung

In the present book the Paleogene fossil record of birds is detailed for the first time on a worldwide scale. I have developed the idea for such a project for several years, and think that it is an appropriate moment to present a summary of our c- rent knowledge of the early evolution of modern birds. Meanwhile not only is there a confusing diversity of fossil taxa, but also significant progress has been made concerning an understanding of the higher-level phylogeny of extant birds. Hypotheses which were not considered even a decade ago are now well supported by independent analyses of different data. In several cases these group together morphologically very different avian groups and allow a better understanding of the mosaic character distribution found in Paleogene fossil birds. The book aims at bringing some of this information together, and many of the following data are based on first-hand examination of fossil specimens.

---

Dieser Download kann aus rechtlichen Gründen nur mit Rechnungsadresse in A, B, BG, CY, CZ, D, DK, EW, E, FIN, F, GR, HR, H, IRL, I, LT, L, LR, M, NL, PL, P, R, S, SLO, SK ausgeliefert werden.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
• Seitenzahl: 262
• Erscheinungstermin: 21. April 2009
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9783540896289
• Artikelnr.: 43788572

Autorenporträt

Gerald Mayr is a German zoologist, who is head of the Ornithological Section of the Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt am Main, Hesse. He published widely on fossil avifaunas, particularly from the Paleogene of Europe, North America, and New Zealand. His research interests also comprise the phylogenetic relationships, skeletal morphology, and evolutionary history of extant birds.

Inhaltsangabe

Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Basic Terminology and the Broader Phylogenetic and Geological Framework.- Chapter 3. Palaeognathous Birds.- Chapter 4. Pelagornithidae, Gastornithidae, and Crown Group Galloanseres.- Chapter 5. Mirandornithes (Grebes and Flamingos), Charadriiformes (Shorebirds and Allies), and Gruiformes (Rails, Cranes, and Allies).- Chapter 6. Opisthocomiformes (Hoatzins), "Columbaves" (Doves, Cuckoos, Bustards, and Allies), and Strisores (Nightjars, Swifts, Hummingbirds, and Allies).- Chapter 7. Phaethontiformes and Aequornithes: The Aquatic and Semi-Aquatic Neaovian Taxa.- Chapter 8. Accipitriformes (New World Vultures, Hawks, and Allies), Falconiformes (Falcons), and Cariamiformes (Seriemas and Allies).- Chapter 9. Psittacopasseres - Psittaciformes (Parrots) and Passeriformes (Passerines).- Chapter 10. Strigiformes (Owls), Coliiformes (Mousebirds), and Cavitaves (Trogons, Rollers, Woodpeckers, and Allies).- Chapter 11. Paleogene Avifaunas: A Synopsis of General Biogeographic and Paleoecological Aspects.