In the tradition of G. G. Simpson's classic work, Kenneth D. Rose's The Beginning of the Age of Mammals analyzes the events that occurred directly before and after the mysterious K-T boundary which so quickly thrust mammals from obscurity to planetary dominance. Rose surveys the evolution of mammals, beginning with their origin from cynodont therapsids in the Mesozoic, contemporary with dinosaurs, through the early Cenozoic, with emphasis on the Paleocene and Eocene adaptive radiations of therian mammals. Focusing on the fossil record, he presents the anatomical evidence used to interpret behavior and phylogenetic relationships. The life's work of one of the most knowledgeable researchers in the field, this richly illustrated, magisterial book combines sound scientific principles and meticulous research and belongs on the shelf of every paleontologist and mammalogist.
PrefaceAcknowledgments1. IntroductionThe Early Cenozoic Mammalian RadiationTiming of the Crown-Therian RadiationMammalian Phylogeny, Interrelationships, and ClassificationGeochronology and Biochronology of the Early CenozoicPaleogeographic Setting during the Beginning of the Age of MammalsPaleocene-eocene Climate and FloraOrganization of the Volume2. Mammalian Skeletal Structure and AdaptationsSkullDentitionPostcranial SkeletonSkeletal Adaptations3. The Origin of MammalsWhat is a Mammal?The Evolutionary Transition to Mammals4. Synopsis of Mesozoic Mammal EvolutionHistorical BackgroundThe Oldest MammalsDocodontaMultituberculataEutriconodontaSymmetrodontsEupantotheresTribosphenic MammalsMesozoic Mammals of Uncertain Affinity5. Metatheria: Marsupials and Their RelativesBasal MetatheriansPrimitive Marsupials6. Earliest Eutherian Mammals7. CimolestaDidelphodonta and Other Primitive CimolestaDidymoconidaePantolestaApatotheriaTaeniodontaTillodontiaPantodonta8. Creodonta and CarnivoraCreodontaCarnivora9. InsectivoraLeptictidaLipotyphla10. Archonta: Bats, Dermopterans, Primates, and Tree ShrewsChiropteraDermopteraPrimates and PlesiadapiformesScandentia11. ""Edentates"": Xenarthra and PholidotaXenarthraPholidota12. Archaic UngulatesOldest Ungulate RelativesCondylarthra: Archaic UngulatesArctostylopidaMeridiungulata: Endemic South American UngulatesDinocerata13. Altungulata: Perissodactyls, Hyraxes, and TethytheresPerissodactylaPaenungulata14. Cete and ArtiodactylaCete and CetaceaArtiodactyla15. Anagalida: Rodents, Lagomorphs, and Their RelativesPrimitive Asian Anagalidans and Possible AnagalidansMacroscelideaGlires16. Reflections and Speculations on the Beginning of the Age of MammalsEarly Cenozoic Mammal RecordSynopsis of Paleocene and Eocene MammalsA Final NoteLiterature CitedIndex
""A must reference for all mammalian and aspiring mammalian paleontologists.""
