1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910462469903321

Autore

Wang Xiaoming

Titolo

Dogs : Their Fossil Relatives and Evolutionary History / / Xiaoming Wang, Richard Tedford

Pubbl/distr/stampa

New York, NY : , : Columbia University Press, , [2008]

©2008

ISBN

0-231-50943-X

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (240 p.)

Altri autori (Persone)

AntónMauricio

Disciplina

599.77 2

Soggetti

Canis, Fossil

Dogs -- Evolution

Dogs

Electronic books.

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di contenuto

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- 1. Methods of Study and the Place of Dogs in Nature -- 2. The Origin of Canids and Other Doglike Carnivorous Mammals -- 3. Diversity -- 4. Anatomy and Function How the Parts Work -- 5. Hunting and Social Activity -- 6. Changing Environments and Canid Evolution -- 7. Going Places -- 8. Domestic Dogs -- appendix 1 -- appendix 2 -- Glossary -- further reading -- Index

Sommario/riassunto

Xiaoming Wang and Richard H. Tedford have spent the past 20 years studying the evolutionary history of the family Canidae. Both are well known for having established the modern framework for the evolutionary relationship of canids. Combining their research with Mauricio Antón's impeccable reconstructions of both extinct and extant species, Wang and Tedford present a remarkably detailed and nuanced portrait of the origin and evolution of canids over the past 40 million years. The authors cull their history from the most recent scientific research conducted on the vast collections of the American Museum of Natural History and other leading institutions. The fossil record of the Canidae, particularly those from their birth place in North America, are the strongest of their kind among known groups of carnivorans. Such a



wonderfully detailed evolutionary history provides access to a natural history that is not possible with many other groups of carnivorans.With their rich fossil record, diverse adaptations to various environments, and different predatory specializations, canids are an ideal model organism for the mapping of predator behavior and morphological specializations. They also offer an excellent contrast to felids, which remain entrenched in extreme predatory specializations. The innovative illustrated approach in this book is the perfect accompaniment to an extremely important branch of animal and fossil study. It transforms the science of paleontology into a thrilling visual experience and provides an unprecedented reference for anyone fascinated by dogs.