Vertebrates, Phylogeny, and Philosophy
Dr. George Gaylord Simpson, one of the most important evolutionary biologists of the Twentieth Century, was born on June 16, 1902 and died on October 6, 1984. His contributions to science include not only a modern synthesis of evolutionary thought, but original research on anthropology, mammalogy, paleontology, general biology, and statistics. His prolific writings were intended for scientific and non—scientific communities alike. He helped and encouraged many who now work in the fields of paleontology and evolutionary biology. Contributors to this book dedicate their efforts as tribute to his memory.
Included authors are colleagues, former students, and friends of Dr. Simpson’s. They represent but a few of the people he would have included in these categories. The book is intended to suggest only a sampling of the diversity of George Gaylord Simpson's impact on present vertebrate paleontology, from its most senior to its very junior participants.
Ms. Flanagan’s letter of invitation entreated the following from potential authors: "In the spirit of Dr. Simpson’s own writings, we encourage imaginative contributions that would be just a little different from items expected in a regular scientific journal." The title of the volume (Vertebrates, Phylogeny, and Philosophy) reflects that request. Though individual articles deal almost exclusively with fossil mammals, emphases cross the spectrum of evolutionary biology, including systematic paleontology, considerations of adaptation, ontogeny, analyses of evolutionary tem— po and mode, biogeographic procedure, and paleogeography. Philip Gingerich’s contribution stresses the crucial importance of solid empirical research to the foundations upon which theoretical/philosophical writings should be based. Mesozoic and Cenozoic taxa are considered, and two articles discuss the modern union of molecular biology, genetics, and paleontology. Most articles benefited directly from the pioneering writings of George Simpson, yet the breadth of concerns of this volume covers only a small fraction of the interests exhibited in his lifetime of evolutionary research.
Kathryn Flanagan served as principal correspondent with authors and reviewers. Jason Lillegraven had principal responsibility for manuscript editing and considerations of production.
We take this opportunity to thank the thirty-two authors for their contributions. Similarly, more than fifty individuals served as unpaid reviewers, and we give our most sincere thanks for their generosity of time and effort. Also, we thank Linda E. Lillegraven for creating the cover design.
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Table of Contents
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IntroductionAuthor(s)Laurence M. GouldLaurence M. GouldDepartment of Geosciences,University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721Search for other works by this author on:
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George Gaylord Simpson: Empirical theoreticianAuthor(s)Philip D. GingerichPhilip D. GingerichMuseum of Paleontology,The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109Search for other works by this author on:
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The Jurassic “bird”Laopteryx priscus re-examinedAuthor(s)John H. OstromJohn H. OstromDepartment of Geology and Geophysics,Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511-8161Search for other works by this author on:
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Brain evolution in Mesozoic mammalsAuthor(s)Zofia Kielan-JaworowskaZofia Kielan-JaworowskaZaklad Paleobiologii,Polska Akademia Nauk, al. Zwirki i Wigury 93, P1 02-089 Warszawa, PolandSearch for other works by this author on:
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Origin and transformation of the mammalian stapesAuthor(s)Michael J. Novacek;Michael J. NovacekDepartment of Vertebrate Paleontology,The American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York 10024Search for other works by this author on:André WyssAndré WyssDepartment of Geological Sciences,Columbia University, New York, New York 10027Search for other works by this author on:
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New Late Cretaceous, North American advanced therian mammals that fit neither the marsupial nor eutherian moldsAuthor(s)William A. Clemens;William A. ClemensDepartment of Paleontology,University of California, Berkeley, California 94720Search for other works by this author on:Jason A. LillegravenJason A. LillegravenDepartments of Geology/Geophysics and Zoology/Physiology,The University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071Search for other works by this author on:
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Paraphyly in Catopsalis (Mammalia: Multituberculata) and its biogeographic implicationsAuthor(s)Nancy B. Simmons;Nancy B. SimmonsDepartment of Paleontology,University of California, Berkeley, California 94720Search for other works by this author on:Miao DesuiMiao DesuiDepartment of Geology and Geophysics,The University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071-3006Search for other works by this author on:
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Competitive exclusion and taxonomic displacement in the fossil record: The case of rodents and multituberculates in North AmericaAuthor(s)David W. KrauseDavid W. KrauseDepartment of Anatomical Sciences, Health Sciences Center,State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York 11794Search for other works by this author on:
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Gradual evolution and species discrimination in the fossil recordAuthor(s)Kenneth D. Rose;Kenneth D. RoseDepartment of Cell Biology and Anatomy,Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205Search for other works by this author on:Thomas M. BownThomas M. BownPaleontology and Stratigraphy Branch, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado 80225Search for other works by this author on:
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Nycticeboides simpsoni and the morphology, adaptations, and relationships of Miocene Siwalik LorisidaeAuthor(s)R. D. E. MacPhee;R. D. E. MacPheeDepartment of Anatomy,Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710Search for other works by this author on:Louis L. JacobsLouis L. JacobsDepartment of Geological Sciences,Soutfiern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas 75275Search for other works by this author on:
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The Paleogene record of the rodents: Fact and interpretationAuthor(s)Robert W. WilsonRobert W. WilsonMuseum of Natural History and Department of Systematics and Ecology,The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045Search for other works by this author on:
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Machaeroides simpsoni, new species, oldest known sabertooth creodont (Mammalia), of the Lost Cabin EoceneAuthor(s)Mary R. Dawson;Mary R. DawsonSection of Vertebrate Fossils,Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213Search for other works by this author on:Richard K. Stucky;Richard K. StuckySection of Vertebrate Fossils,Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213Search for other works by this author on:Leonard Krishtalka;Leonard KrishtalkaSection of Vertebrate Fossils,Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213Search for other works by this author on:Craig C. BlackCraig C. BlackNatural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California 90007Search for other works by this author on:
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Early Eocene artiodactyls from the San Juan Basin, New Mexico, and the Piceance Basin, ColoradoAuthor(s)Leonard Krishtalka;Leonard KrishtalkaSection of Vertebrate Fossils,Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213Search for other works by this author on:Richard K. StuckyRichard K. StuckySection of Vertebrate Fossils,Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213Search for other works by this author on:
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Early Eocene rodents from the San Jose Formation, San Juan Basin, New MexicoAuthor(s)Kathryn M. FlanaganKathryn M. FlanaganDepartment of Geology and Geophysics,The University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071Search for other works by this author on:
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Fossil vertebrates from the latest Eocene, Skyline channels, Trans-Pecos TexasAuthor(s)John A. Wilson;John A. WilsonDepartment of Geological Sciences,The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78758Search for other works by this author on:Margaret S. StevensMargaret S. StevensDepartment of Geology,Lamar University of Orange County, Orange, Texas 77710Search for other works by this author on:
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Systematics and evolution of Pseudhipparion (Mammalia, Equidae) from the late Neogene of the Gulf Coastal Plain and the Great PlainsAuthor(s)S. David Webb;S. David WebbFlorida State Museum,University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611Search for other works by this author on:Richard C. Hulbert, JR.Richard C. Hulbert, JR.Department of Zoology,University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611Search for other works by this author on:
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Species longevity, stasis, and stairsteps in rhizomyid rodentsAuthor(s)Lawrence J. FlynnLawrence J. FlynnDepartment of Anthropology, Peabody Museum,Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138Search for other works by this author on:
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The late Miocene radiation of Neotropical sigmodontine rodents in North AmericaAuthor(s)Jon Alan BaskinJon Alan BaskinDepartment of Geosciences,Texas A&I University, Kingsville, Texas 78363Search for other works by this author on:
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Very hypsodont antelopes from the Beglia Formation (central Tunisia), with a discussion of the RupicapriniAuthor(s)Peter RobinsonPeter RobinsonMuseum,University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0315Search for other works by this author on:
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Faunal provinces and the Simpson CoefficientAuthor(s)John J. FlynnJohn J. FlynnDepartment of Geological Sciences,Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903Search for other works by this author on:
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Evolutionary epicyclesAuthor(s)Jon MarksJon MarksDepartment of Genetics,University of California, Davis, California 95616Search for other works by this author on:
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The evolutionary synthesis today: an essay on paleontology and molecular biologyAuthor(s)Everett C. Olson;Everett C. OlsonDepartment of Biology,University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024Search for other works by this author on:Clifford F. BrunkClifford F. BrunkDepartment of Biology,University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024Search for other works by this author on:
