Extraordinary Fossil Ecosystems of North America A History of and Guide to the Sites

The fossil record affords a fascinating glimpse at past environments and the kinds of plants and animals that inhabited them. Some sites, for instance, contain nearly complete preserved records of ancient life. Fourteen of these remarkable fossil depositories are found in North America, including Mistaken Point in Newfoundland, Mazon Creek in Illinois, and Rancho La Brea in Los Angeles.Extraordinary Fossils of North Americadescribes these and eleven other sites that range across the continent. John R. Nudds and Paul A. Selden introduce each site and place the fossil findings in geologic and evolutionary context. They go on to describe the history of research at each sitethe sedimentology, stratigraphy, biota, paleoecologyand offer comparisons to other localities of similar age or environment.Extraordinary Fossils of North Americaalso includes an appendix of museums at which readers can see specimens from the sites and suggestions for visiting the sites in person. In some cases, new specimens can still be collected from these sites by professionals and amateurs alike. Accessible and informative, this guide to Fossil-Lagerstatten will appeal to expert scientists and adventuresome lay paleontologists alike.Nudds, John R. is the author of 'Extraordinary Fossil Ecosystems of North America A History of and Guide to the Sites', published 2008 under ISBN 9780226607221 and ISBN 0226607224.