New Aspects of Mesozoic Biodiversity

This series reports on new developments in research and teaching in the entire field of earth sciences. From the focused study of phenomena on the nano and micro-scales to the entire earth system including its early formation, evolution and future status, The series is thoroughly interdisciplinary presenting studies of the litho, atmo, hydro- and biospheres and their interactions through the application of the most advanced techniques from geophysics, geochemistry, geomathematics and state of the art geo computing and visualization. As the name implies the submission of manuscripts based on advanced courses such as collections of lectures and tutorials, course materials for laboretory and field courses and summer schools is encouraged. In addition the series publishes: monographs on advanced topics, technical reports of high quality and broad interest and reports of conferences and workshops, reports on expeditions and surveys, provided they are of exceptional interest and focused on a single topic.

The late Palacozoic as well as the Mesuzoic eras witnessed widespread changes of life on Earth. While a large number of archaic reptiles and amphiblans became extincl during this time, various terrestrial faunn such as dinosaurs, lizards, turtle, frogs, early birds and mammals emerged, evolved rapidly and spread throughout the world and soon dominated the terrestrial ecosystems. During the last decades discoveries of new specimens and their studies aided by new techniques have led to refined interpretations of Mesozoic biodiversity. These have prompted a revolution in our understanding of the dynamic history of Mesozoic contiments and their occupants which set the stage for the subsequent evolution leading to the modern terrestrial ecosystem. Against this background, this book is particularly significant in the present milieu of interdisciplinary reserch in areas covering vertebrate palacontology, palacobiology, palaecology and palaecobiogeography, Fifteen researchers, all well-known experts in their own fields, have made authorilative contributions. on their chosen topics, The book comprises a total of seven richly illustrated papers and addresses students and professionals working in vertebrate palaecology. evolutionary bilogy, geology and zoology.

Main fields of interest:Vertebrate palaeontology including origin, evolution, functional morphology and systematic study of Mesozoic vertebrates, especially the reptiles, their taphonomy and bone histology. Gondwana geology including stratigraphy and depositional environment, biochronology and palaeobiogeography.