50% Off The Criterion Collection Shop Now
The Microstructure of Dinosaur Bone: Deciphering Biology with Fine-Scale Techniques
"A must-read for anybody interested in the biology of one of the most fascinating animals in the history of our planet."—Luis M. Chiappe, Nature

For millions of years, clues to the biology of dinosaurs lie locked within the microscopic structure of their bones. Here one of the world's leading experts on fossil bone microstructure synthesizes more than 150 years of research to expose the meaning of dinosaur bone microstructure.

In this first book dedicated to dinosaur bone microstructure, Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan begins with a general overview of living bone structure and composition and then explains how bone structure changes upon death and during fossilization. She meticulously unravels why the microscopic structure of fossil bone remains intact after millions of years of fossilization. She also provides a photographic atlas of the kinds of bone tissue found in dinosaurs and expounds on their biological significance. The final chapters offer insight into growth patterns of dinosaurs and the biology of Mesozoic birds. The book concludes with a reflective discussion on what bone microstructure can and cannot disclose about dinosaur physiology. Drawing from sources across the field of bone histology, Chinsamy-Turan paints a holistic view of the current state of the science and presents a fresh perspective on the relevance of the field to understanding the Dinosauria.

"1111369697"
The Microstructure of Dinosaur Bone: Deciphering Biology with Fine-Scale Techniques
"A must-read for anybody interested in the biology of one of the most fascinating animals in the history of our planet."—Luis M. Chiappe, Nature

For millions of years, clues to the biology of dinosaurs lie locked within the microscopic structure of their bones. Here one of the world's leading experts on fossil bone microstructure synthesizes more than 150 years of research to expose the meaning of dinosaur bone microstructure.

In this first book dedicated to dinosaur bone microstructure, Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan begins with a general overview of living bone structure and composition and then explains how bone structure changes upon death and during fossilization. She meticulously unravels why the microscopic structure of fossil bone remains intact after millions of years of fossilization. She also provides a photographic atlas of the kinds of bone tissue found in dinosaurs and expounds on their biological significance. The final chapters offer insight into growth patterns of dinosaurs and the biology of Mesozoic birds. The book concludes with a reflective discussion on what bone microstructure can and cannot disclose about dinosaur physiology. Drawing from sources across the field of bone histology, Chinsamy-Turan paints a holistic view of the current state of the science and presents a fresh perspective on the relevance of the field to understanding the Dinosauria.

100.0 In Stock
The Microstructure of Dinosaur Bone: Deciphering Biology with Fine-Scale Techniques

The Microstructure of Dinosaur Bone: Deciphering Biology with Fine-Scale Techniques

by Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan
The Microstructure of Dinosaur Bone: Deciphering Biology with Fine-Scale Techniques

The Microstructure of Dinosaur Bone: Deciphering Biology with Fine-Scale Techniques

by Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan

Overview

"A must-read for anybody interested in the biology of one of the most fascinating animals in the history of our planet."—Luis M. Chiappe, Nature

For millions of years, clues to the biology of dinosaurs lie locked within the microscopic structure of their bones. Here one of the world's leading experts on fossil bone microstructure synthesizes more than 150 years of research to expose the meaning of dinosaur bone microstructure.

In this first book dedicated to dinosaur bone microstructure, Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan begins with a general overview of living bone structure and composition and then explains how bone structure changes upon death and during fossilization. She meticulously unravels why the microscopic structure of fossil bone remains intact after millions of years of fossilization. She also provides a photographic atlas of the kinds of bone tissue found in dinosaurs and expounds on their biological significance. The final chapters offer insight into growth patterns of dinosaurs and the biology of Mesozoic birds. The book concludes with a reflective discussion on what bone microstructure can and cannot disclose about dinosaur physiology. Drawing from sources across the field of bone histology, Chinsamy-Turan paints a holistic view of the current state of the science and presents a fresh perspective on the relevance of the field to understanding the Dinosauria.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780801881206
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date: 07/15/2005
Pages: 216
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.79(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan is a professor of zoology and a fellow of the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She is president of South African Women in Science and Engineering and the former director of the Natural History Collections Division of Iziko Museums of Cape Town. She was named as South Africa's Woman Scientist of the Year for 2005.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Unraveling Dinosaur Bones
2. Dinosaur Bones Discovered
3. From Bone Microstructure to Biology
4. Inside Dinosaur Bones
5. Growing Dinosaurs
6. Biology of Early Birds
7. Dinosaur Physiology
References
Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

At last! An entire book devoted to one of the most recently developed and hottest techniques for the study of dinosaurs and other ancient animals. The author has devoted her career to the study of the histology of fossil bone. She comprehensively surveys a body of literature that begins more than a century ago but is up-to-the-minute as well. She skillfully introduces the student to the basics of the subject but also presses toward the limit of what the technique can tell us about the fascinating topics of growth and physiology of extinct animals. She describes the work of others with fairness but leaves no doubt as to her opinions about the shortcomings of widely cited studies. She writes with clarity and vigor and has presented a book that will be widely read by paleontologists of all levels and leanings.
—Peter Dodson, University of Pennsylvania

Peter Dodson

At last! An entire book devoted to one of the most recently developed and hottest techniques for the study of dinosaurs and other ancient animals. The author has devoted her career to the study of the histology of fossil bone. She comprehensively surveys a body of literature that begins more than a century ago but is up-to-the-minute as well. She skillfully introduces the student to the basics of the subject but also presses toward the limit of what the technique can tell us about the fascinating topics of growth and physiology of extinct animals. She describes the work of others with fairness but leaves no doubt as to her opinions about the shortcomings of widely cited studies. She writes with clarity and vigor and has presented a book that will be widely read by paleontologists of all levels and leanings.

— Peter Dodson, University of Pennsylvania

From the B&N Reads Blog
Page 1 of

Related Subjects

Nature
Science & Technology
Earth Science
Animals
Dinosaurs
Fossils
Paleontology - General & Miscellaneous
Reptiles & Amphibians
Nature
Science & Technology
Earth Science
Animals
Dinosaurs
Fossils
Paleontology - General & Miscellaneous
Reptiles & Amphibians

Customer Reviews