Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record Michael J. Benton and David A. T. Harper is an English-language textbook aimed at professionals in paleobiology. It provides a comprehensive introduction to the analysis and interpretation of fossil data.
This reference work addresses the science of the history of life through the fossil record. Central to it are modern analytical techniques, ranging from biogeography and biostratigraphy to genetics and cladistics. All major fossil groups are covered, including microfossils, invertebrates, plants, vertebrates, and trace fossils, with attention to the origin of life and the metazoans. In addition, core topics such as systematics, evolution, ecology, and stratigraphy are addressed and their role in understanding the development and diversification of life. This edition includes updated figures, new case studies, and rewritten chapters on macroevolution, mass extinctions, and the origin of life.
In terms of content, the book aligns with fields such as Archaeology and Evolutionary paleobiology and is suitable for scientists focused on the fossil record.