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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.
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
Dr Øyvind Hammer is currently a Researcher in Paleontology at the Geological Museum in Oslo, and in Geobiology at the research center "Physics of Geological Processes". In addition to a number of research publications, he is the author of the popular data-analysis software PAST.
David Harper is a leading expert on fossil brachiopods and numerical methods in palaeontology. He is Professor of Palaeontology in the University of Copenhagen, where he is currently Head of Geology in the Natural History Museum of Denmark. He has published over 10 books and monographs, including a couple of influential textbooks, as well as over 250 scientific articles and, together with Øyvind Hammer, the widely-used software package PAST. His time is divided between collection management, exhibition work, research and some teaching.
"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
