Paleontological Data Analysis

During the last 10 years numerical methods have begun to dominate paleontology. These methods now reach far beyond the fields of morphological and phylogenetic analyses to embrace biostratigraphy, paleobiogeography, and paleoecology. Paleontological Data Analysis explains the key numerical techniques in paleontology, and the methodologies employed in the software packages now available.

Following an introduction to numerical methodologies in paleontology, and to univariate and multivariate techniques (including inferential testing), there follow chapters on morphometrics, phylogenetic analysis, paleobiogeography and paleoecology, time series analysis, and quantitative biostratigraphy. Each chapter describes a range of techniques in detail, with worked examples, illustrations, and appropriate case histories. Also covered are purpose, type of data required, functionality, and implementation of each technique, together with notes of caution where appropriate.

Paleontological Data Analysis and the accompanying software package are important investigative tools in a rapidly developing field characterized by many exciting new discoveries and innovative techniques An invaluable tool for all students and researchers involved in quantitative paleontology.

"I would definitely encourage students, later-year undergraduate or graduate, embarking on palaeontological research involving more than the most trivial statistics to buy this book, not just rely on the library copy."
- Newsletter of Micropalaeontology

"I warmly encourage all graduate students, post-docs, and academics in palaeontology to acquire a copy – and to use it."
- Geology Today

"All in all this is to my mind and excellent book."
- Geological Magazine

Preface
Acknowledgments

1 Introduction
2 Basic statistical methods
3 Introduction to multivariate data analysis
4 Morphometrics
5 Phylogenetic analysis
6 Paleobiogeography and paleoecology
7 Time series analysis
8 Quantitative biostratigraphy