Fossil Frogs and Toads of North America (Life of the Past) - Hardcover

Holman, J. Alan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0253342805 ISBN 13: 9780253342805

Publisher: Indiana University Press, 2003

Synopsis

The heart of this book consists of detailed systematic accounts of the known fossil frogs and toads (anurans) of North America and their localities. Extinct fossil frogs and toads are fully discussed and illustrated, and in some cases are re-diagnosed and re-described. For fossil taxa still living, the book gives the modern characteristics, ecological attributes, and modern ranges, and includes illustrations of diagnostic skeletal elements. The volume begins with an overview of the anurans and anuran studies, a general account of the skeleton and bones, and a discussion of the early evolution of the Anura, along with the formal classification of anuran taxonomic groups found in the North American fossil record. The third part of the book presents an epoch-by-epoch discussion of Mesozoic, Tertiary, and Pleistocene anurans, the classification and phylogeny of the anurans, and a comprehensive list of references.

About this title

Synopsis:

The heart of this book consists of detailed systematic accounts of the known fossil frogs and toads (anurans) of North America, as well as the localities where each taxon occurs. Extinct fossil frogs and toads are fully discussed and illustrated, and in some cases are re-diagnosed and re-described on the basis of additional information and fossil material that has recently come to light. Moreover, the taxonomic status of some forms in the literature have either been questioned or changed. Fossil anuran taxa that are presently living are presented in a somewhat different way. The modern characteristics, ecological attributes, and modern ranges of genera and species are given. Criteria for the identification of fossils of these animals are presented and illustrations of diagnostic skeletal elements are included for most modern species. The book begins with an overview of the anurans, a discussion of the definition of the class Anura and of the specializations found in the group, and a short history of fossil anuran studies.

There follows a general account of the anuran skeleton, a detailed accounts of individual anuran bones used in paleontological studies, and a discussion of the early evolution of the Anura. Next, a definition of chronological terms used in the book is given, along with a discussion on procedures used in the identification of fossil anurans. Finally, there is a description of the formal classification of anuran taxonomic groups found in the North American fossil record. The third part of the book presents a detailed, epoch-by-epoch, discussion of Mesozoic, Tertiary, and Pleistocene anurans, stressing the changes in taxonomic content of each epoch, and with a special overview of the Pleistocene. Finally, an epilogue deals with the state of the art of the classification and phylogeny of the anurans as related to the fossil record. A comprehensive list of references concludes the volume.

About the Author:

J. Alan Holman (1931-2006) was Professor and Curator Emeritus of Vertebrate Paleontology at Michigan State University. He wrote seven books, including Fossil Snakes of North America (IUP, 2000).

About this edition

• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0253342805
• ISBN 13: 9780253342805
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 264