The Palaeobiology Of Trace Fossils

Trace fossils are the products of the activities of ancient organisms, including tracks, trails, burrows, borings, eggs and faecal remains. The importance of these fossils compared with body fossils (shells, bones) is that they provide the palaeontologist with evidence of how the ancient organism actually functioned, including activities such as locomotion, feeding, reproduction and social behaviour, for which no other data exist. They also provide the only evidence of the existence of soft-bodied organisms for which no other fossil material has survived. Because of these aspects, trace fossils allow the development of palaeobiological perspectives on ancient life and, as such, it is becoming a major field of study. This comprehensive research review of this field brings together a group of world authorities to produce a detailed, highly illustrated conspectus of current knowledge, comprising specially commissioned review chapters. This book should be a useful reference on the subject for research palaeontologists, palaeobiologists and museum curators, and also helpful for undergraduate and graduate students.