In the present book the Paleogene fossil record of birds is detailed for the first time on a worldwide scale. I have developed the idea for such a project for several years, and think that it is an appropriate moment to present a summary of our c- rent knowledge of the early evolution of modern birds. Meanwhile not only is there a confusing diversity of fossil taxa, but also significant progress has been made concerning an understanding of the higher-level phylogeny of extant birds. Hypotheses which were not considered even a decade ago are now well supported by independent analyses of different data. In several cases these group together morphologically very different avian groups and allow a better understanding of the mosaic character distribution found in Paleogene fossil birds. The book aims at bringing some of this information together, and many of the following data are based on first-hand examination of fossil specimens.

Up-to-date and comprehensive overview of the Paleogene avian fossil record for vertebrate paleontologists and ornithologists interested in the evolutionary history of birds First study which is exclusively devoted to the Paleogene fossil record of birds on a worldwide scale

Klappentext

The present book is the first detailed review of the Paleogene avian fossil record on a worldwide scale. Numerous well-preserved fossil bird remains from this geological period, which covers the time span from the end of the Mesozoic era to the beginning of the Miocene, have been described in the past two decades. Some of these not only provide information on morphological transformations in the evolutionary history of the extant avian taxa, but are also of great significance for an understanding of their historical biogeography. Others represent extinct taxa which sometimes show a bizarre morphology not found in modern birds, such as the giant pseudo-toothed birds which reached wingspans up to six meters.

The reader is introduced to basic morphological features of the various groups which, as far as possible, are placed into a phylogenetic context in the light of current hypotheses on the interrelationships of extant birds. In a concluding chapter the biogeographical significance of Paleogene fossil birds and possible reasons for faunal changes during the Paleogene are detailed. As such, the book not only aims at providing an overview for specialists, but may also help students of other fields of vertebrate paleontology to better understand Paleogene ecosystems.

Inhalt
Stratigraphy and major fossil localities.- Higher-level phylogeny of extant birds.- Mesozoic Neornithes.- Palaeognathous birds.- Galloanseres.- Aquatic and semiaquatic taxa.- Charadriiformes (shorebirds and allies).- Core-Gruiformes (Rails, Cranes, and Allies).- Phoenicopteriformes (flamingos) and Podicipediformes (grebes).- Columbiformes (doves and sandgrouse), Cuculiformes (cuckoos), and other neoavian taxa of uncertain affinities.- Caprimulgiformes and Apodiformes (Nightjars and Allies, Swifts, and Hummingbirds).- Cariamae (seriemas and allies).- Falconiformes (Diurnal Birds of Prey).- Strigiformes (owls).- Arboreal birds.- Paleogene avifaunas â synopsis of general aspects.