Paleontology book the first of its kind to cover this important group of animals

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Finally, book tells the whole story of ammonites.

After seemingly millions of years shrouded in mystery, those ubiquitous spiraling fossils are finally having their moment in the sun. A new book, “Evolution of the Ammonoids,” is set to release from CRC Press/Taylor and Francis Group in late December 2022.

The book has been written by three paleontologists, including famed researcher Donald Prothero, SUNY professor Alex Bartholomew, and features the illustrations of CUNY lecturer and internationally-acclaimed paleoartist Kate LoMedico Marriott. Beginning with the early origins of mollusks and of course, of cephalopods, the book spells out the extinction and speciation of these mystifying shells for over 300 million years in exquisite detail.

Unlike other books on ammonites, the new book prioritizes the biology of ammonoids as living creatures. Giving a level of attention to a group of invertebrates that is typically reserved for dinosaurs, pterosaurs, or Ice Age megafauna, “Evolution of the Ammonoids” highlights the intimate relationship between mollusks and a changing climate, greenhouse gasses, and how we can apply the cautionary tale of ammonoids to the marine invertebrates of today. 

Ammonites are an extinct and charismatic lineage that persisted for over 300 million years. They were used, with other fossils, to corroborate the principle of faunal succession and launch the field of biostratigraphy. Despite intense research, many important questions remain unanswered. Furthermore, outdated hypotheses persist. Many new findings include a better understanding of their appearance in life, their locomotion, and their role in long gone ecosystems. And, of course, there are still controversies; e.g. why did shell complexity increase during evolutionary history. This richly illustrated book describes the full range of ammonoids and their fascinating evolutionary history.

Key Features

Documents the early history of paleontology and the role played by ammonoids

Describes the basic anatomy of a diverse and long persisting lineage

Summarizes the classification and diversity of ammonoids

Lavishly illustrated with beautiful reconstructions

Highlights recent findings and outstanding controversies

Media Contact
Contact Person: Kate LoMedico Marriott
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: https://www.routledge.com/Evolution-of-the-Ammonoids/Marriott-Bartholomew-Prothero/p/book/9781032264363