Freethought & Rationalism Archive

ps418 · 01-10-2002, 04:09 PM

Howdy folks!

I want to recommend an excellent book I've started reading, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0198549164/internetinfidelsA/" target="_blank">Mass Extinctions and Their Aftermath</a>, authored by Hallam and Wignall and published by Oxford University Press. There are lots of good books on extinction events (e.g. Erwin's The Paleozoic Crisis, McPhee's Frasnian-Famennian Extinction, Lowell and Dingus' The Mistaken Extinction), but most of them deal with only one extinction event. MEATA covers each of the big 5 extinctions, and several lesser extinction events, systematically, covering describing boundary sections, biostratigraphy, stable isotope evidence, etc. The book is extensively referenced and includes a fantastic bibliography for those wanting to chase down the original works.

Wignall and Hallam's book is also fairly up-to-date, originally published in 1997 with a 2000 reprinting.

If you buy only one book on the subject, and dont want a watered-down treatment, then buy this book.

[Edited by Oolon for Infidels Amazon link]

[ January 11, 2002: Message edited by: Oolon Colluphid ]</p>

Oolon Colluphid · 01-11-2002, 12:46 AM

Thanks Patrick, that looks great (though out of my budget’s range atm

.

If we’re recommending books, the most marvellous thing that Father Christmas brought me was <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0198508239/o/qid=1010741755/sr=2-1/ref=sr_bt_1/026-7876010-3816429" target="_blank">The New Encyclopedia of Mammals</a>, edited by David Macdonald. It is splendid for just looking at the pictures, but gives detailed information on every species too, and, being naturally heavily concerned with classification and groupings, it has plenty of useful info for this forum. For instance, the tidbit that all the South American camel species -- vicunas, alpacas etc -- are capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring, despite being different enough to be in separate genera. The book is huge (nearly 1000 pages), bang up-to-date (it lists three species of elephant, for instance), gorgeous to look at and phenomenal value: I guess it’d work out about $47. Highly recommended.

Cheers, Oolon

Vorkosigan · 01-11-2002, 02:32 AM

<a href="http://www.bozedown.dircon.co.uk/NewFiles/DNA%20article4.html" target="_blank">http://www.bozedown.dircon.co.uk/NewFiles/DNA%20article4.html</a>

Here is an article on the genetics of the SA camelids. Fascinating topic. Not only do they interbreed, but the offspring are fertile.

Michael

01-10-2002, 04:09 PM	#1
ps418 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Louisville, KY, USA Posts: 1,840	A book recommendation Howdy folks! I want to recommend an excellent book I've started reading, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0198549164/internetinfidelsA/" target="_blank">Mass Extinctions and Their Aftermath</a>, authored by Hallam and Wignall and published by Oxford University Press. There are lots of good books on extinction events (e.g. Erwin's The Paleozoic Crisis, McPhee's Frasnian-Famennian Extinction, Lowell and Dingus' The Mistaken Extinction), but most of them deal with only one extinction event. MEATA covers each of the big 5 extinctions, and several lesser extinction events, systematically, covering describing boundary sections, biostratigraphy, stable isotope evidence, etc. The book is extensively referenced and includes a fantastic bibliography for those wanting to chase down the original works. Wignall and Hallam's book is also fairly up-to-date, originally published in 1997 with a 2000 reprinting. If you buy only one book on the subject, and dont want a watered-down treatment, then buy this book. [Edited by Oolon for Infidels Amazon link] [ January 11, 2002: Message edited by: Oolon Colluphid ]</p>

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01-11-2002, 12:46 AM	#2
Oolon Colluphid Contributor Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Alibi: ego ipse hinc extermino Posts: 12,591	Thanks Patrick, that looks great (though out of my budget’s range atm . If we’re recommending books, the most marvellous thing that Father Christmas brought me was <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0198508239/o/qid=1010741755/sr=2-1/ref=sr_bt_1/026-7876010-3816429" target="_blank">The New Encyclopedia of Mammals</a>, edited by David Macdonald. It is splendid for just looking at the pictures, but gives detailed information on every species too, and, being naturally heavily concerned with classification and groupings, it has plenty of useful info for this forum. For instance, the tidbit that all the South American camel species -- vicunas, alpacas etc -- are capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring, despite being different enough to be in separate genera. The book is huge (nearly 1000 pages), bang up-to-date (it lists three species of elephant, for instance), gorgeous to look at and phenomenal value: I guess it’d work out about $47. Highly recommended. Cheers, Oolon

01-11-2002, 02:32 AM	#3
Vorkosigan Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Barrayar Posts: 11,866	<a href="http://www.bozedown.dircon.co.uk/NewFiles/DNA%20article4.html" target="_blank">http://www.bozedown.dircon.co.uk/NewFiles/DNA%20article4.html</a> Here is an article on the genetics of the SA camelids. Fascinating topic. Not only do they interbreed, but the offspring are fertile. Michael

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