Function, Phylogeny, and Fossils

An insightful new work, Function, Phylogeny, and Fossils integrates two practices in paleobiology which are often separated - functional and phylogenetic analysis. The book summarizes the evidence on paleoenvironments at the most important Miocene hominoid sites and relates it to the pertinent fossil record. The contributors present the most up-to-date statements on the functional anatomy and likely behavior of the best known hominoids of this crucial period of ape and human evolution. A key feature is a comprehensive table listing 240 characteristics among 13 genera of living and extinct hominoids.

An insightful new work, Function, Phylogeny, and Fossils integrates two practices in paleobiology which are often separated - functional and phylogenetic analysis. The book summarizes the evidence on paleoenvironments at the most important Miocene hominoid sites and relates it to the pertinent fossil record. The contributors present the most up-to-date statements on the functional anatomy and likely behavior of the best known hominoids of this crucial period of ape and human evolution. A key feature is a comprehensive table listing 240 characteristics among 13 genera of living and extinct hominoids.

Booknews

Explores different perspectives on Miocene hominoids with the goal of reaching consensus not on what actually happened but on how to proceed with the study of the subject. Focuses on a few of the best-known genera but ranges wide on issues related to both function and phylogeny. The 18 refereed papers discuss the research of the past three decades, the relationship between functioning morphology and Miocene environments, the functional anatomy and phyletic implications of the hominoid trunk and hindlimb, mandibles, and other topics. Among the eight genera highlighted are Proconsul, Afropithecus, Sivapithecus, Ouranophithecus, and Lufengpithecus. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.