The Lawrence Jacobsen Library
Books Received (Primate-Science/PrimateLit)

EVOLVING EDEN: AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO THE EVOLUTION OF THE AFRICAN LARGE-MAMMAL FAUNA

By: Alan Turner and Mauricio AntÔø‡Ôø‡n

(From book jacket)
The Garden of Eden as the ideal and untouched site of life's creation
persists in popular thought, even as we have uncovered a lengthy fossil
record and developed a scientific understanding of evolution. The continent
of Africa is a good candidate for Eden: its generally warm climate, rich
vegetation, and variety of animal species lend themselves easily to such a
comparison. Yet in the time since the first primates appeared millions of
years ago, Africa has undergone profound alterations in physical geography,
climate, and biota.
Linking the evidence of the past with that of the present, this exquisitely
illustrated guide examines the evolution of the mammalian fauna of Africa
within the context of dramatic changes over the course of more than 30
million years of primate presence.  The book covers such topics as dating,
continental drift, climate changes, and both the physical evolution of the
African continent and the biological evolution of its mammalian fauna.  The
authors discuss human evolution as a part of the larger pattern of
mammalian evolution.  The meticulous reconstructions of fossil mammals in
this book are the result of detailed anatomical research.  Restorations of
musculature of mammals and their appearance take into account the
affinities between fossil forms and extant species in order to make
well-founded inferences.  Environmental reconstructions benefit from the
authorsÔø‡Ôø‡ visits to more than a dozen wildlife preserves in five African
countries as well as the use of an extensive database of published studies
on the evolution of landscapes on the continent.  A fascinating read and a
visual feast, Evolving Eden lays the foundation for a deeper appreciation
of contemporary African wildlife.

Contents

Forward by Elisabeth Vrba               ix
Preface                         xii
Acknowledgments                 xvii

Chapter 1                                             Page 1
Dating, Continental Drift, Climate Change, and the Motor of Evolution

Chapter 2                                             Page 15
The Background to Mammalian Evolution in Africa

Chapter 3                                             Page 41
African Mammals, Past and Present

Chapter 4                                             Page 181
Fossil Sites in Africa

Chapter 5                                             Page 215
The Evolving African Mammalian Fauna

Epilogue                                               Page 241
Further Reading                                    Page 245
Index                                                   Page 257

About the Authors
(From book jacket)
Alan Turner is Professor of Vertebrate Paleontology at John Moores
University in Liverpool, England, and former senior curator of paleontology
at the Transvaal Museum in Pretoria, South Africa.  He is the author, with
Mauricio AntÔø‡Ôø‡n, of The Big Cats and Their Fossil Relatives (Columbia).

Mauricio AntÔø‡Ôø‡n is a paleontological artist based at the National Museum of
Natural Sciences in Madrid.  His work has appeared in National Geographic
and Natural History, among other magazines.  He has collaborated with the
Discovery Channel and BBC, most recently for the series Walking with
Prehistoric Beasts.  He is the author, with Jordi AgustÔø‡Ôø‡, of Mammoths,
Sabertooths, and Hominids (Columbia).

WHERE TO ORDER

ISBN 0-231-11944-5 (hardcover) $39.50

Columbia University Press
136 South Broadway
Irvington, New York 10533-2599

Website: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cup>www.columbia.edu/cu/cup

Direct Link to Columbia University Press catalog entry:
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cup/catalog/data/023111/0231119445.HTM



Posted Date: 9/24/04