Mammoths, Sabertooths, and Hominids : 65 Million Years of Mammalian Evolution in Europe

Written for the specialist or student in evolutionary biology and paleontology this book can nevertheless be studied by anyone who has an interest in these topics. For this reviewer, the main interest in this book was in the effect of climate on mammalian extinctions, with the hopes of shedding light on the current debate on climate change/global warming. Since the book is directed towards the specialist, the non-specialist will have to deal with a large amount of terminology, this arising mostly from the classification schemes used in paleontology and zoology. This reviewer found it helpful to use a few note sheets along the way to assist in remembering some of the scientific names of the major fauna that did exist in the time frame over which the book covers. Having some background in biology and geophysics will also help in the assimilation of the material in the book, particularly in cases where the authors are discussing dating techniques. There is no part of this book that is uninteresting, and the excellent plates and drawings in the book add to the pleasure in its perusal. And the book went beyond this reviewer's expectations regarding the effects of climate change on mammalian extinctions: there are many examples discussed in the book and a few surprises, such as the assertion that the Mediterranean was completely desiccated around 6,000,000 years ago (the late Miocene). Early on though the authors caution the reader that even though much is known now regarding the time series of temperatures and oceanic changes throughout the last 65,000,000 years, one cannot conclude that there is an exact correlation between changes in climate and changes in mammalian ecosystems. Very interesting also is how the authors deduce the dietary habits of extinct mammals by examining their fossilized teeth and jawbones. This "comparative" paleontology allows one to ascertain what flora were more prevalent in ages past by comparing the dental arrangements of modern mammals with those that are extinct. The variability in dental morphology it seems does have a direct correlation with the floral that were present during the time frame that the mammal was alive. An excellent example of this, which the authors discuss in the book, is the presence of `hypsodonty', which is dental morphology wherein the teeth have high crowns and enamel that extends beyond the gum line. The authors explain this as an adaptation to the silica grains that would be present in the grasses of the Pliocene age. Mammals without this adaptation would face extinction pressures due to the quick abrasion of the teeth due to these grains. Another interesting discussion in the book concerns the `Monterey hypothesis', which is an attempt to understand the "climate crisis" in the middle Miocene in terms of the sequestering of large quantities of organic carbon. This resulted in accelerated global cooling because of the drawdown of atmospheric CO2 and the end of certain warm-water circulations. The authors discuss the experimental evidence for this hypothesis. Mammalian extinctions can therefore be caused by climate change as well as genetics. The authors however point to another cause of these extinctions, namely the rise of the homo sapiens species, which the authors characterize as being "unique" in "its ability to exterminate other species." They give evidence to support this, but also note that that modern humans also fall prey to the very mammals that benefit from human expansion, such as the rats in the Middle Ages. But as they also note, H. sapiens is a wandering species. They moved into Australia as well as North America, and of course now dominate the planet. But this species, which on rare occasions decimates its own, is insatiably curious and has shown absolute brilliance throughout its sojourn on Earth...and on other worlds where it is just getting started. Mammoths, Sabertooths, and Hominids takes us on a journey through 65 million years, from the aftermath of the extinction of the dinosaurs to the glacial climax of the Pleistocene epoch; from the rain forests of the Paleocene and the Eocene, with their lemur-like primates, to the harsh landscape of the Pleistocene Steppes, home to the woolly mammoth. It is also a journey through space, following the migrations of mammal species that evolved on other continents and eventually met to compete or coexist in Cenozoic Europe. Finally, it is a journey through the complexity of mammalian evolution, a review of the changes and adaptations that have allowed mammals to flourish and become the dominant land vertebrates on Earth. With the benefit of recent advances in geological and geophysical techniques, Jordi Agust? and Mauricio Ant?n are able to trace the processes of mammalian evolution as never before; events that hitherto appeared synchronous or at least closely related can now be distinguished on a scale of hundreds or even dozens of thousands of years, revealing the dramatic importance of climactic changes both major and minor. Evolutionary developments are rendered in magnificent illustrations of the many extraordinary species that once inhabited Europe, detailing their osteology, functional anatomy, and inferred patterns of locomotion and behavior. Based on the latest research and field work, Mammoths, Sabertooths, and Hominids transforms our understanding of how mammals evolved and changed the face of the planet. Mammoths, Sabertooths, And Hominids Takes Us On A Journey Through 65 Million Years, From The Aftermath Of The Extinction Of The Dinosaurs To The Glacial Climax Of The Pleistocene Epoch; From The Rain Forests Of The Paleocene And The Eocene, With Their Lemur-like Primates, To The Harsh Landscape Of The Pleistocene Steppes, Home To The Wooly Mammoth. It Is Also A Journey Through Space, Following The Migrations Of Mammal Species That Evolved On Other Continents And Eventually Met To Compete Or Coexist In Cenozoic Europe. Finally, It Is A Journey Through The Complexity Of Mammalian Evolution, A Review Of The Changes And Adaptations That Have Allowed Mammals To Flourish And Become The Dominant Land Vertebrates On Earth.--jacket. The Paleocene: The Dark Epoch -- The Eocene: Reaching The Climax -- The Oligocene: A Time For Change -- The Early To Middle Miocene: When Continents Collide -- The Late Miocene: The Beginning Of The Crisis -- The Pliocene: The End Of The World -- The Pleistocene: The Age Of Humankind. Jordi Agustí And Mauricio Antón. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [283]-294) And Index. "Mammoths, Sabertooths, and Hominids takes us on a journey through 65 million years, from the aftermath of the extinction of the dinosaurs to the glacial climax of the Pleistocene epoch; from the rain forests of the Paleocene and the Eocene, with their lemur-like primates, to the harsh landscape of the Pleistocene steppes, home to the wooly mammoth. It is also a journey through space, following the migrations of mammal species that evolved on other continents and eventually met to compete or coexist in Cenozoic Europe. Finally, it is a journey through the complexity of mammalian evolution, a review of the changes and adaptations that have allowed mammals to flourish and become the dominant land vertebrates on Earth."--BOOK JACKET. Front......Page 1 CONTENTS......Page 6 PREFACE......Page 8 CHAPTER 1 - The Paleocene: The Dark Epoch......Page 16 CHAPTER 2 - The Eocene: Reaching the Climax......Page 38 CHAPTER 3 - The Oligocene: A Time of Change......Page 82 CHAPTER 4 - The Early to Middle Miocene: When the Continents Collide......Page 108 CHAPTER 5 - The Late Miocene: The Beginning of the Crisis......Page 166 CHAPTER 6 - The Pliocene: The End of a World......Page 226 CHAPTER 7 - The Pleistocene: The Age of Humankind......Page 256 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 298 INDEX......Page 310 COLOR PLATES......Page 330 Desde la desaparición de los dinosaurios de la era glacial al Pleistoceno, el libro propone un viaje a través de la evolución, una revisión de los cambios y adapaciones que ha permitido a los mamíferos convertirse en los vertebrados terrestres dominantes sobre la Tierra This book covers mammalian evolution from the aftermath of the dinosaur extinction to the glacial climax of the Pleistocene epoch, from early lemur-like primates to giant cold-climate adapted mega-mammals, such as the woolly mammoth or mastodon. A COMMON SCENARIO TENDS TO POSIT THE EARLY EVOLUTIONary radiation of placental mammals as occurring only after the extinction of the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period.