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About this book
Impressive assemblage of the premier specialists in the field, each of whom address a major issue in arthropod diversity by reviewing evidence of key fossils from a common perspective and examine the interplay between extinct and extant species through inference of the structure of the arthropod evolutionary tree. The most complete collection of modern perspectives on the history of Arthropoda.
Contents
Introduction: The Role of Extinct Taxa in Arthropod Phylogeny, by Gregory D. EdgecombeMolecular Systematics and Arthropods, by Ward WheelerAn Arthropod Phylogeny Based on Fossil and Recent Taxa, by Matthew Wills, Derek E.G. Briggs, Richard Fortey, Mark Wilkinson, Peter SneathCambrian Lobopodians: Morphology and Phylogeny, by Lars Ramskold and Chen JunyuanChengjiang Arthropods and Their Bearing on Early Arthropod Evolution, by Jan Bergstrom and Hou XianguangEarly Arthropod Phylogeny in Light of the Cambrian "Orsten" Fossils, by Dieter Walossek and Klaus J. MullerFossils and the Interrelationships of Major Crustacean Groups, by Frederick Schram and Cees H. J. HofFossil Taxa and Relationships of Chelicerates, by Paul Selden and Jason Dunlop
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Biography
Gregory D. Edgecombe is Senior Research Scientist at the Australian Museum, Sydney. He has written many papers on early arthropod (especially trilobite) evolution.
Edited By: Gregory D Edgecombe
347 pages, 17 b/w photos, 51 illus
The editor has solicited all specialists currently involved in this field of research and instructed them to give their frank opinion. The result is most interesting: though in some of the major issues a trend to consensus can be noted, in other topics opinions diverge widely, and all have been amply corroborated by sound arguments! In this way we receive the most timely information right from the horse's mouth" and we become aware of the latest developments from the very forefront of science. It seems clear that anyone who'd wish to contribute to the field encompassing the origin and diversification of the arthropod phylum in forthcoming years, can find a thorough and comprehensive reference in the various contributions put together in this volume...Not surprisingly, the crustaceans figure prominently in many of the papers: items like their position in the arthropod tree (Chapters 1, 2), their relationships with annelids/annelid-like ancestors and crustacean-like extinct groups (Ch. 2), the origin of the schizoramous limb (Ch. 4, 5) and the origin and homology of the various, differentiated appendages of the crustaceans, approached just as well from a phylogenetic as from an ontogenetic point of view (Ch. 5), and, finally, the interrelationships of the taxa composing the Crustacea, both extant and extinct (Ch. 6), are all addressed in extenso by the various contributors.The composition, lay-out, printing, and binding have been well taken care of: a fine publication indeed, loaded with interesting details on the roots as well as the radiation(s) of the jointed-legged animals." -- J. C. von Vaupel Klein, "Crustaceana"