Vertebrate Ichnology

Vertebrate Ichnology: The Fossil Record of Prehistoric Behavior is a complete review and analysis of vertebrate trace fossils, including how vertebrate trace fossils inform our understanding of major evolutionary events. It covers all aspects of the vertebrate trace fossil record including tetrapod footprints, fish traces and other trails, burrows, nests and more. Each record is reviewed by prominent experts with extensive illustrations and can be used as a tool to solve problems of vertebrate biochronology and biogeography. Megabiases in the record are identified, and trace fossils applied to analysis and the understanding of major events in the evolutionary history of vertebrates. This is a useful daily reference for paleontologists and geologists; and teaching professors or other researchers working in trace fossils and related fields, including university and graduate students.

1. Introduction Section 1. The ichnology of locomotion 2. Tetrapods 3. Fish Section 2. The ichnology of consumption 4. Regurgitalites 5. Consumulites 6. Coprolites 7. Gastroliths Section 3. The ichnology of habitation and reproduction 8. Vertebrate burrows 9. Nests 10. Ichnology of reproduction (e.g., tracks showing mating or display) Section 4. Synthesis (analyzes the vertebrate trace fossil record, its strengths and weakness and application to understanding vertebrate evolutionary history) 11. Megabiases in the fossil record of vertebrate traces 12. Ichnofacies 13. Ichnology and biochronology 14. Ichnology and biogeography 15. Traces and major evolutionary events in vertebrate history 16. Prospectus and issues in vertebrate ichnology