Palaeobiology: A Synthesis was widely acclaimed both for its content and production quality.Ten years on, Derek Briggs and Peter Crowther have once again brought together over 150 leading authorities from around the world to produce Palaeobiology II. Using the same successful formula, the content is arranged as a series of concise articles, taking a thematic approach to the subject, rather than treating the various fossil groups systematically.This entirely new book, with its diversity of new topics and over 100 new contributors, reflects the exciting developments in the field, including accounts of spectacular newly discovered fossils, and embraces data from other disciplines such as astrobiology, geochemistry and genetics.Palaeobiology II will be an invaluable resource, not only for palaeontologists, but also for students and researchers in other branches of the earth and life sciences.* Written by an international team of recognised authorities in the field.* Content is concise but informative.* Demonstrates how palaeobiological studies are at the heart of a range of scientific themes.

Part I: Major Events in the History of Life:.1. Early Life.2. The Cambrian Radiation.3. Palaeozoic Events.4. Mesozoic Events.5. Cenozoic Events.Part II: The Evolutionary Process and the FossilRecord:.6. Species Evolution.7. Evolution of Form.8. Macroevolution.9. Patterns of Diversity.Part III: Taphonomy:.10. Fossilized Materials.11. Fossilization Processes.12. Preservation in Different Ecological Settings.13. Lagerstatten.Part IV: Palaeoecology:.14. Fossils as Living Organisms.15. Ancient Communities.16. Fossils as Environmental Indicators.Part V: Systematics, Phylogeny and Stratigraphy:.17. Morphology and Taxonomy.18. Calibrating Diversity.19. Reconstructing Phylogeny.20. Fossils in Stratigraphy.