Paleobiogeography: Using Fossils to Study Global Change, Plate Tectonics, and Evolution (Topics in Geobiology, V. 16) (Topics in Geobiology)

Biogeography relates the evolution of the Earth's biota to major episodes in the Earth's history such as climatic changes and plate tectonic events. Furthermore, biogeographic patterns have played a prominent role in the development of the theory of evolution. Thus biogeography has the potential to make important contributions to the field of geobiology. Paleobiogeography emphasizes how analytical techniques from phylogenetic biogeography can be applied to the study of patterns in the fossil record. In doing this, it considers the strengths and weaknesses of paleobiogeographic data, the effects of plate tectonic processes (specifically continental rifting and collision) and changes in relative sea levels in terms of how they influence the evolution and distribution of organisms. Paleobiogeography Emphasizes How Analytical Techniques From Phylogenetic Biogeography Can Be Applied To The Study Of Patterns In The Fossil Record. In Doing This, It Considers The Strengths And Weaknesses Of Paleobiogeographic Data, The Effects Of Plate Tectonic Processes (specifically Continental Rifting And Collision) And Changes In Relative Sea Level In Terms Of How They Influence The Evolution And Distribution Of Organisms.--jacket. What Is Paleobiogeography? -- The Relevance Of Hierarchy Theory To Biogeography And Paleobiogeography -- On The Quality Of The Fossil Record And What A Paleobiogeographer Can See -- The History Of Biogeography And Paleobiogeography -- Allopatric Speciation And Vicariance -- Vicariance, Dispersal, And Plate Tectonics -- Defining Areas In Paleobiogeography -- Biogeography And The Comparative Method -- The Search For Congruence: Analyzing Biogeographic Patterns In Several Clades -- Biogeography And The Biodiversity Crisis. Bruce S. Lieberman. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 191-204) And Index. "Paleobiogeography emphasizes how analytical techniques from phylogenetic biogeography can be applied to the study of patterns in the fossil record. In doing this, it considers the strengths and weaknesses of paleobiogeographic data, the effects of plate tectonic processes (specifically continental rifting and collision) and changes in relative sea level in terms of how they influence the evolution and distribution of organisms."--BOOK JACKET. The field of paleobiogeography is derived in direct lineage from its close intellectual cousin, biogeography, a scientific discipline that had its birth in the adventurous and exploratory urges of humankind.