Paleobiology
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Paleobiology (sometimes spelled palaeobiology) is a growing and comparatively new discipline which combines the methods and findings of the natural science biology with the methods and findings of the earth science paleontology. Typical paleobiological research attempts to answer biological questions using geological objects such as fossils found in the field. Both macrofossils and microfossils are analyzed.
Research areas more-or-less unique to paleobiology include:
- Paleobotany
- * applying the principles and methods of paleobiology to flora, especially green land plants, but also including the fungi and seaweeds (algae).
- Paleozoology
- * using the methods and principles of paleobiology to understand fauna, both vertebrates and invertebrates. See also vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology.
- Taphonomy
- * analyzing the post-mortem history of the individual fossil organism in order to gain insight on the behavior and ecology of the living organism.
- Ichnology
- * analyzing the tracks, impressions, and other trace fossils left by extinct organisms in order to gain insight on their behavior and ecology.
- Stratigraphic paleobiology
- * studying long-term secular changes, as well as the bed-by-bed sequence of changes, in organismal characteristics and behaviors.
- Evolutionary developmental paleobiology
- * examining the modes and trajectories of growth and development of fossil organisms, often with reference to evolutionary modes and trajectories.
An investigator in this research field is known as a paleobiologist.
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