Dynamic Paleontology Using Quantification and Other Tools to Deciphe
Using a series of case studies, the book demonstrates the power of dynamic analysis as applied to the fossil record. Written in an engaging and informative style, Dynamic Paleontology outlines the best application of quantitative and other tools to critic
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Mark A.S. McMenamin
Dynamic Paleontology Using Quantification and Other Tools to Decipher the History of Life
Springer Geology
More information about this series at http://www.springer.com/series/10172
Mark A.S. McMenamin
Dynamic Paleontology Using Quantification and Other Tools to Decipher the History of Life
123
Mark A.S. McMenamin Department of Geology and Geography Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, MA USA
ISSN 2197-9545 Springer Geology ISBN 978-3-319-22776-4 DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-22777-1
ISSN 2197-9553
(electronic)
ISBN 978-3-319-22777-1
(eBook)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2016941091 © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Printed on acid-free paper This Springer imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Springer International Publishing AG Switzerland
To David Raup (1933–2015)
Preface
It has been said that scientific knowledge is built on the ruins of failed hypotheses. The real work of constructing science, however, is in the careful selection of tractable problems, solving them, and then applying their solutions to other, more difficult problems. Challenging problems cannot be solved without extensive preliminary groundwork. Peter Medawar once said that “science is the art of the soluble,” and an important part of the art of science lies in properly laying the groundwork. The goal of this book is to introduce the art of the soluble as applied to paleontology. By means of more than a dozen case studies, or critical research topics, I hope to demonstrate how asking the right questions can produce not only correct answers to the original problems but can also provide fresh insight into conundrums that might otherwise remain refractory of solution. I have selected these particular cases because they interact with each other in fruitful ways. Useful interactions between investigations generate synergy that can be used to pry open some of the toughest secrets of t
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