In the shadow of the dinosaurs : early Mesozoic tetrapods

This book is the first attempt to collate all the information known to date on the small vertebrates, e.g. mammals, crocodiles, turtles, lizards, frogs, salamanders, etc., and features contributions by experts with international reputations in their fields. There are chapters on the taxonomy and phylogeny of the key vertebrate groups followed by a section dealing with the most significant fossiliferous assemblages worldwide. The final section looks at how faunal turnover at this time is measured and examines the possibility of mass extinctions. The early Mesozoic was a critical period in the evolution of life on land when most of today's major groups of terrestrial vertebrates arose and dinosaurs and pterosaurs rose to prominence. This book collates all the information on the small vertebrates and features contributions by internationally renowned experts. Most of the Paleozoic groups at the amphibian grade of organization have not been found in post-Permian rocks and apparently became extinct, either during the Late Permian or at the end-Permian extinction event.