Vertebrate paleontology

S. David Webb; Russell W. Graham; Anthony D. Barnosky; Christopher J. Bell; Richard Franz; Elizabeth A. Hadly; Ernest L. Lundelius Jr; Robert A. Martin; Holmes A Semken Jr.; David W. Steadman

doi:10.1016/S1571-0866(03)01025-X

Book chapter

Vertebrate paleontology

S. David Webb, Russell W. Graham, Anthony D. Barnosky, Christopher J. Bell, Richard Franz, Elizabeth A. Hadly, Ernest L. Lundelius Jr, Robert A. Martin, Holmes A Semken Jr. and David W. Steadman

Developments in Quaternary Science, pp.519-538

Elsevier Science & Technology

2003

DOI: 10.1016/S1571-0866(03)01025-X

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Abstract

This chapter presents some paleontological highlights of vertebrates from the individual states and regions of North America. Glacial-interglacial shifts in climate rearranged the composition of plant communities and that of vertebrate faunas. Ranges of mammalian species move together through time, suggesting that some communities do remain coherent. DNA from permafrost-preserved bones of brown bears in northwestern North America (eastern Beringia), integrated with modern samples, reveals a very complex history of local extinctions, reinvasions, and possible competition with the extinct short-faced bear (Arctodus). Morphological studies can be effectively combined with ancient DNA comparisons to better distinguish simple phenotypic shifts from fundamental evolutionary changes. Electron-spin resonance dating of enamel, optically stimulated resonance dating of sand grains, U-series dating of bone, and young age ranges of 40Ar–39Ar dating, each may become a more reliable clock for the great range of environments studied by Quaternary vertebrate paleontologists.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Vertebrate paleontology
Creators: S. David Webb - Florida Museum of Natural History
Russell W. Graham - Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Anthony D. Barnosky - Museum of Vertebrate Zoology
Christopher J. Bell - The University of Texas at Austin
Richard Franz - Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800, USA
Elizabeth A. Hadly - Stanford University
Ernest L. Lundelius Jr - The University of Texas at Austin
Robert A. Martin - Murray State University
Holmes A Semken Jr. - University of Iowa
David W. Steadman - Florida Museum of Natural History
Resource Type: Book chapter
Publication Details: Developments in Quaternary Science, pp.519-538
Publisher: Elsevier Science & Technology
DOI: 10.1016/S1571-0866(03)01025-X
ISSN: 1571-0866
Language: English
Date published: 2003
Academic Unit: Earth and Environmental Sciences
Record Identifier: 9984516160102771

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