Not offered 2007-2008
GEOS 212 Invertebrate Paleobiology (Same as Biology 211)
This course offers an introduction to the study of prehistoric life. The fossils of marine invertebrates provide an excellent foundation for this purpose, because they are widespread and abundant, they are often well-preserved, and they have a record that reaches back in
time over 600 million years. The intellectual discovery of fossils as organic relics and the
ways in which fossils were used by earlier generations to support conflicting views on nature are briefly surveyed. The lecture topics that follow are organized to illustrate the various
directions explored by paleontologists today to solve a broad range of questions. These include: biological and paleontological views on the species concept relevant to taxonomy;
ongoing debate over the timing and mechanisms of evolution; biostratigraphy as a means to
correlate sedimentary rocks; functional morphology as a means to reconstruct the biomechanics of extinct species; analysis of fossil assemblages to interpret the ecology of ancient
environments; paleogeography as related to patterns in biodiversity, and the possible causes
of mass extinctions. Laboratory exercises utilize superb fossil collections to study the processes of fossilization and to survey the biology and taxonomy of the major invertebrate
phyla.
Format: lecture/laboratory; field trip to the Lower Devonian Helderbergs of New York State.
Evaluation will be based on weekly lab reports, a midterm paper, a midterm exam, a lab
practicum, and a final exam.
Prerequisites: any 100-level Geosciences course or Biology 102 or 203. No enrollment limit
(expected: 12).
M. JOHNSON