Paleontology is a well-rounded textbook that introduces readers to the science of ancient life, tailored for students, researchers, and enthusiasts. As a vital branch of geology, paleontology unveils the evolutionary history of life on Earth through the study of fossils.
The book begins by covering the basics—branches of paleontology, the significance of fossil studies, and fossil types and preservation methods. It includes a special focus on the Geological Time Scale, helping readers understand Earth’s deep past and its importance in tracing life’s evolution.
A major portion of the book is devoted to invertebrate paleontology, examining fossil groups like Mollusca, Brachiopoda, Echinodermata, Arthropoda, and others, with detailed discussions on their morphology, classification, and ecological significance.
Additionally, it covers micropaleontology, emphasizing the importance of microfossils such as Foraminifera and Ostracods in fields like stratigraphy and resource exploration. The book balances traditional fossil studies with modern scientific approaches, offering a solid foundation for exploring Earth’s ancient biological legacy.
1. Fundamentals of Paleontology
1.1 Branches of Paleontology
1.2 Importance of Paleontology
1.3 Fossils
1.4 Types of Fossils
1.5 Preservation of Fossils.
2. Modes of Preservation of Fossils
2.1 Fossilization
2.2 Modes of preservation of fossil
2.3 Essentials of Field Work
2.4 Collection of Fossils
2.5 Recovery of Fossils
2.6 Uses of Fossils
3. Geological Time Scale
3.1 Geological Time Scale
3.2 Eon
3.3 Era
3.4 Period
3.5 Epoch
3.6 Important of Geological Time Scale
4. Invertebrate Paleontology Phylum Mollusca and Class Pelecypoda
4.1 Phylum Mollusca
4.2 Class Pelecypoda
4.3 Environments and Modes of Life
4.4 Morphology of Hard parts
4.5 Obliquity of shell
4.6 Interior of shell
4.7 Hinge Structure
4.8 Types of Hinge Structures
4.9 Orientation of Shell
4.10 Ornamentation
4.11 Distribution
5. Class Gastropoda
5.1 Environments and Mode of Life
5.2 Morphology of Hard Parts
5.3 Interior of the Shell
5.4 Orientation of Shell
5.5 Ornamentation of Shell
5.6 Forms of Gastropod Shells
5.7 Classification
5.8 Distribution
5.9 Important Gastropods with their Time Ranges
6. Class Cephalopoda
6.1 Environments and Mode of Life
6.2 Morphology of Hard Parts
6.3 Ornamentation
6.4 Interior of the Shell
6.5 Orientation of Class Cephalopoda
6.6 Orientation Subclass Ammonoidea
6.7 Suture Lines in Ammonoids
6.8 Subclass Coleoidea
6.9 Guard or Rostrum
6.10 Classification
6.11 Distribution
6.12 Important Cephalopods with their Time Ranges.
7. Phylum Brachiopoda
7.1 Environments and Mode of Life
7.2 Hardparts Morphology
7.3 Interior of the Shell
7.4 Brachial Skeletons and Types
7.5 Ornamentation
7.6 Classification
7.7 Distribution
7.8 Important Brachipods with their Time Ranges.
8. Phylum Echinodermata
8.1 Environment and Mode of Life
8.2 Hard parts morphology
8.3 Apical Dise
8.4 Coron
8.5 Peristome
8.6 Orientation of Test
8.7 Classification
8.8 Distribution
8.9 Important Echinoderms with their Time Ranges
9. Phylum Arthropoda (Class Trilobita)
9.1 Environment and Mode of Life
9.2 Morphology of Hard Parts
9.3 Cephalon
9.4 Glabella
9.5 Cheeks
9.6 Thorax
9.7 Pygidum
9.8 Classification
9.9 Distribution
9.10 Important Trilobites with their Time Ranges
10. Phylum Cnidaria (Coelenterata) (Class Anthozoa)
10.1 Environment and Mode of Life
10.2 Morphology of Hard Parts
10.3 Hard Parts
10.4 Order Tabulata
10.5 Order Rugosa
10.6 Order Scleractinia
10.7 Classification
10.8 Distribution
10.9 Important Coelenterates with their Time Ranges.
11. Phylum Hemichordata (dendroidea and Graptoloidea)
11.1 Environment and mode of life
11.2 Morphology of Hard Parts
11.3 Hard Part
11.4 Order Dendroidea
11.5 Order Graptoloidea
11.6 Classification
11.7 Distribution
11.8 Important Graptoloidea with their Time Ranges
12. Phylum Bryozoa
12.1 Morphology
12.2 Classification
12.3 Geological distribution
12.4 Important Bryozoa with their Time Ranges.
13. Micropaleontology
13.1 Stratigraphy Sequence of Microfossils
13.2 History of Micropaleontology
13.4 Microfossils
13.5 Branches of Micropaleontology
13.6 Types of Microfossils
13.7 Significance of Micropaleontology
14. Foraminifera and Ostracods
14.1 Foraminifera
14.1.1 Morphology
14.1.2 Geological distribution
14.1.3 Significance of Foraminifera
14.1.4 Significance in Oil Exploration
14.2 Class Ostracoda
14.2.1 Morphology of Ostracods
14.2.2 Geological distribution
14.2.3 Significance
For UG and PG Student
This book is aligned with the revised syllabus as outlined by theUGC and National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) for the Faculty Science, (as per U.G.C. New Syllabus)
For students of B.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons.), M.Sc. and All India Competitive Examinations
Effective from June 2024.
