Patagonia has been one of the most attractive places for explorers and paleontologists. The amazing diversity of its fauna and flora, the richness of its fossil record, and the variety of its paleoenvironments, all contribute to making Patagonia the focal point for the study of the history of life on Earth.
Patagonian Mesozoic Reptiles gathers in a single volume-and for the first time-our current knowledge about the evolution of the region and its reptiles. Each contribution amply demonstrates that Patagonia during the Mesozoic provides a distinct perspective on the evolution of life during a key chapter in the geological history of this region.
1. Patagonia and the study of its Mesozoic reptiles: a brief history Leonardo Salgado; 2. Mesozoic paleogeography and paleoenvironmental evolution of Patagonia (Southern South America) Luis A. Spalletti and Juan Franzese; 3. Testudines Marcelo S. De la Fuente; 4. Lepidosauromorpha Adriana Albino; 5. Crocodyliformes Diego Pol and Zulma Gasparini; 6. Pterosauria Laura Codorniu and Zulma Gasparini; 7. Ornithischia Rodolfo A. Coria and Andrea V. Cambiaso; 8. Sauropodomorpha Leonardo Salgado and Jose F. Bonaparte; 9. Non-avian theropods Rodolfo A. Coria; 10. Aves Luis M. Chiappe; 11. Ichthyosauria Marta Fernandez; 12. Plesiosauria Zulma Gasparini; 13. Ichnology Jorge O. Calvo; 14. Reptilian Faunal Succession in the Mesozoic of Patagonia: an updated overview Zulma Gasparini, Rodolfo A. Coria, and Leonardo Salgado Index of Mesozoic Reptilian Taxa and Taxonomic Terms
Field work in the past two decades has made Patagonia one the world's hotspots for dinosaurian diversity. No-one, not even van Huene, could have dreamed of the kind of things that would be found down there - and by all indications, will continue to be found. Kevin Padian, University of California, Berkeley " ... an essential, up-to-date collection for any dinosaur buff."--New Scientist, 23 June 2007