Avian Evolution, The Fossil Record of Birds and its Paleobiological Significance

======================================================= AVIAN EVOLUTION, THE FOSSIL RECORD OF BIRDS AND ITS PALEOBIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Professional Veterinary E-Book ======================================================= BOOK INFORMATION ---------------- Title: Avian Evolution, The Fossil Record of Birds and its Paleobiological Significance Format: PDF E-Book File Size: Varies Category: Veterinary Paleobiology and Comparative Anatomy Specialty: Avian Medicine, Evolutionary Biology, and Paleontology DESCRIPTION ----------- This comprehensive veterinary textbook provides an authoritative examination of avian evolution through the lens of paleontological evidence, offering veterinary professionals and researchers unprecedented insight into the evolutionary origins and development of modern bird species. Drawing from extensive fossil records spanning millions of years, this resource bridges the gap between ancient avian ancestors and contemporary bird anatomy, physiology, and clinical characteristics. The text explores critical evolutionary transitions, including the dinosaur-bird connection, the development of flight capabilities, and the diversification of avian lineages across geological time periods. Understanding avian evolution is essential for modern veterinary practice, as it provides the foundational context for interpreting anatomical variations, physiological adaptations, and species-specific medical considerations in contemporary birds. This textbook meticulously documents the paleobiological significance of key fossil discoveries, analyzing how evolutionary pressures shaped the unique respiratory systems, skeletal structures, and metabolic characteristics that distinguish avian patients from other vertebrates. The work integrates paleontological data with modern comparative anatomy, offering clinicians a deeper understanding of why birds exhibit their distinctive physiological traits. Richly illustrated with fossil specimens, phylogenetic trees, and comparative anatomical diagrams, this resource serves as both an academic reference and a practical guide for understanding the evolutionary basis of avian biology. The text examines major evolutionary milestones, extinction events, and adaptive radiations that have shaped modern avian diversity, providing veterinary professionals with essential context for species identification, taxonomic relationships, and the evolutionary origins of anatomical features encountered in clinical practice. KEY FEATURES ------------ • Comprehensive coverage of the avian fossil record from Mesozoic origins through Cenozoic diversification to modern species • Detailed analysis of the theropod dinosaur-bird transition, including Archaeopteryx and other critical transitional fossils • Examination of the evolution of flight, feather development, and skeletal adaptations unique to avian species • Phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic classifications based on paleontological and molecular evidence • Integration of fossil evidence with modern avian anatomy, providing evolutionary context for clinical veterinary practice • Discussion of major extinction events and their impact on avian evolution and biodiversity • Comparative analysis of extinct and extant avian species, highlighting evolutionary adaptations and convergent evolution TARGET AUDIENCE --------------- • Avian veterinarians seeking deeper understanding of the evolutionary basis of bird anatomy and physiology • Veterinary students studying comparative anatomy, zoology, and evolutionary biology • Wildlife veterinarians working with diverse bird species requiring taxonomic and evolutionary knowledge • Veterinary researchers in paleobiology, evolutionary medicine, and comparative vertebrate studies • Zoo veterinarians managing collections that include ratites, raptors, and other species with unique evolutionary histories INSTANT ACCESS -------------- Download immediately after purchase Compatible with all PDF readers Personal use license included PRICE: HK$340.00