CONTENTS IN DETAIL
List of Boxed Readings
Preface
1      INTRODUCTION
What Are Dinosaurs?
When and Where Did Dinosaurs Live?
Why Study Dinosaurs?
Key Terms
Review Questions
Find a Dinosaur!
2      EVOLUTION, PHYLOGENY, AND CLASSIFICATION
Evolution
Phylogeny
Classification
Dinosaurs and Evolution
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Reading
3      FOSSILS, SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENTS, AND GEOLOGIC TIME
Fossils
Sedimentary Environments
Fluvial Environments
Lacustrine Environments
Eolian Environments
Deltaic Environments
Geologic Time
The Triassic Period
The Jurassic Period
The Cretaceous Period
Numerical Ages
Collecting Dinosaur Fossils
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Reading
4      THE ORIGIN OF DINOSAURS
Dinosaurs as Reptiles
Dinosaurs as Diapsids
Dinosaurs as Archosaurs
The Archosaurian Ancestry of Dinosaurs
The Phylogeny of Dinosaurs
The Oldest Dinosaurs
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Reading
Find a Dinosaur!
5      THEROPODS
The Phylogeny of Theropods
What Is a Theropod?
Primitive Theropods
Ceratosaurs
Tetanurans
Megalosauroids
Avetheropods
Coelurosaurs
Theropod Evolution
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Reading
Find a Dinosaur!
6      SAUROPODOMORPHS
Prosauropods
The Genus Plateosaurus
Prosauropod Lifestyles
The Genus Mussaurus
Prosauropod Evolution
Sauropods
Primitive Eusauropods
Diplodocoids
Primitive Macronarians
Titanosaurs
How Large Was the Largest?
Sauropod Lifestyles
Sauropod Evolution
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Reading
Find a Dinosaur!
7      ORNITHOPODS
Heterodontosaurs
Primitive Ornithopods
Iguanodontians
Hadrosaurids
Ornithopod Evolution
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Reading
Find a Dinosaur!
8      STEGOSAURS AND ANKYLOSAURS
Primitive Thyreophorans
Stegosaurs
The Genus Huayangosaurus
Stegosaurids
The Genus Stegosaurus
Plate Function
Stegosaur Lifestyles and Evolution
Ankylosaurs
Nodosaurids
Ankylosaurids
Ankylosaurs: Mesozoic Tanks
Ankylosaur Evolution
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Reading
Find a Dinosaur!
9      CERATOPSIANS AND PACHYCEPHALOSAURS
Ceratopsians
The Genus Psittacosaurus
Neoceratopsians
The Genus Protoceratops
The Lifestyle of Protoceratops
Ceratopsids
The Genus Triceratops
Function of the Horns and Frill
Ceratopsian Evolution
Pachycephalosaurs
Primitive Pachycephalosaurs
Dome-Headed Pachycephalosaurs
Head-Butting
Pachycephalosaur Evolution
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Reading
Find a Dinosaur!
10    THE DINOSAURIAN WORLD
Continental Drift, Sea Level, and Climate
Late Triassic: The Beginning of the Age of Dinosaurs
Geography and Climate
Life in the Sea
Vegetation
Vertebrates
Dinosaurs
Early–Middle Jurassic: Dinosaurs Establish Dominance
Geography and Climate
Life in the Sea
Vegetation
Dinosaurs and Other Vertebrates
Late Jurassic: The Golden Age of Dinosaurs
Geography and Climate
Life in the Sea and Vegetation
Dinosaurs and Other Vertebrates
Early Cretaceous: A Transition
Geography and Climate
Life in the Sea
Vegetation
Dinosaurs and Other Vertebrates
Late Cretaceous: The Last Dinosaurs
Geography and Climate
Life in the Sea and Vegetation
Dinosaurs and Other Vertebrates
Five Dinosaur Faunas
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Reading
11    DINOSAUR HUNTERS
Earliest Discoveries
Complete Skeletons
Two Great Expeditions
The Calm Before the Storm?
The Dinosaur Renaissance
Changing Ideas in Dinosaur Science
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Reading
12    DINOSAUR TRACE FOSSILS
Dinosaur Footprints
Understanding Dinosaur Footprints
Interpreting Dinosaur Footprints
Footprint Myths
Dinosaur Eggs
Dinosaur Gastroliths
Dinosaur Tooth Marks
Dinosaur Coprolites
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Reading
Find a Dinosaur!
13    DINOSAUR BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR
Dinosaur Biology
External Appearance
Weight
Growth and Longevity
Dinosaur Behavior
Feeding and Locomotion
Reproduction and Parenting
Attack and Defense
Group Behavior
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Reading
14    HOT-BLOODED DINOSAURS?
Some Terms and Concepts
The Evidence
Posture and Gait
Speed, Activity Level, and Agility
Feeding Adaptations
Bone Microstructure
Blood Pressure
Geographic Distribution
Bird Ancestry
Social Behavior
Predator–Prey Ratios
Body Size
Bone Chemistry
Respiratory Turbinates
Lungs
What Type(s) of Metabolism Did Dinosaurs Have?
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Reading
15    DINOSAURS AND THE ORIGIN OF BIRDS
What Is a Bird?
The Genus Archaeopteryx
Nondinosaurian Ancestors of Birds
Origin and Evolution of Avian Flight
Evolution of Birds
Significance of Dinosaurs as Bird Ancestors
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Reading
Find a Dinosaur!
16    THE EXTINCTION OF DINOSAURS
The Terminal Cretaceous Extinction
Nature of the Evidence
Single Cause: Asteroid Impact
Multiple Causes
Minimizing the Damage
Answer the Question!
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Reading
17    DINOSAURS IN THE PUBLIC EYE
Dinosaurs: Denotation and Connotation
Dinosaurs in the News
Dinosaurs in Books
Dinosaurs in Art
Dinosaur Toys
Dinosaurs in Cartoons and Movies
Dinosaurs on the Worldwide Web
Dinosaur Science and Public Dinosaurs
Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Reading
 
Appendix: A Primer of Dinosaur Anatomy
Posture and Orientation
Skull, Lower Jaw, and Teeth
Backbone
Forelimb
Hind Limb
Structure and Function
Key Terms
Review Questions
Further Reading
Glossary
A Dinosaur Dictionary
Index