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Trilobites: Common Trilobites of North America
A survey of representative trilobite species from North America. It includes meticulous line drawings of 42 species, with information for each concerning classification, geologic range, and geographical distribution. Descriptions of probable life style, similar species, interesting features, etc. are also given. The 8 page, illustrated Introduction includes discussions of trilobite anatomy, growth, vision, lifestyles, locomotion, feeding, classification, and extinction. A brief "suggested Reading" list is also offered.
91 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 28, 2023
This isn't a bad book - and it includes helpful inferences about various trilobite behavior - but it is a rather specific book. This book largely focuses on the trilobites east of the Mississippi, with only a few from the Western half of the country. If you are routinely encountering actual physical trilobite fossils, then this is the book for you! If not, they you may want to pass (although the first few pages about trilobite biology are useful).
January 1, 2024
This is definitively a very utilitarian book in both presentation and subject matter. The book's first 7 pages provide what has to be some of the briefest coverage of Trilobites I have ever seen on the printed page. Going over their basic biology especially their eyes, Growth patterns, ecology such as diet and habitat. Then some very brief and frankly out of date taxonomy but I will return to that in a bit. Their description of the extinction is surprisingly accurate, for as brief as it was, focusing more on the loss of coastal habitats and change of ecological context caused by the formation of Pangea. Which is nice compared to the old inaccurate statements of them being inferior to crustaceans or horseshoe crabs.
However, when it comes to the meat of the book, it really does fit what the name of the book is. That being COMMON. Trilobites of NORTH AMERICA. The Trilobite accounts are arranged linearly range in time from the Lower Cambrian to the Pennsylvanian (Or late Carboniferous as some call it). Something I find rather strange is that while the Cambrian is rightfully divided into three sections representing the Lower, middle, and Upper sections. The remaining periods are not however divided in such a way instead starting with a generalized Ordovician section or Silurian section before going onto a specific period of time. In the Ordovician there is a middle and upper section of the period. While the following Silurian and Devonian only have one for the middle part of the period.
This seems strangely inconsistent, wouldn't make more sense to have all the periods divided in the same manner that the Cambrian sections are. Also some periods clearly have more trilobites than others, but that would be the case regardless of how the book was structured. While yes Trilobites did decline over time, I still think there were a number of species that could have been shown especially in the Silurian and Devonian. Unlike others though i don't mind the decision to use the terminology of Pennsylvanian and Mississippian instead of early and Late Carboniferous though. The terms mean more to me than other people. The Permian was completely ignored though sadly.
Now this book was released in 1999 and as such some of the taxonomy has become dated overtime. Of particular note is the two new orders Harpida with their large heads that converged on horseshoe crabs and the utterly bizarre Trinucleida. Both of which were formerly grouped into larger Orders; Ptychopariida for Harpids, which are a heterogenous group still quite contentious. And Asaphida for the Trinucleida. Which are a group known for species with rather strange members known for their eyes on stalks. The book of course doesn't have these newest recognized groupings even if it shows their members.
With that being said the scope of the book is perhaps the greatest limitation. It really only discusses common Trilobites of North America, which ignores all the great diversity of really common species beyond North America, and also ignoring species that are frankly beautiful from North American that may just not be as common as others. This is a real shame as I think if this book was wider in scope and updated taxonomy it could genuinely be a very helpful resource. As it is though it remains niche and overly specific even to Trilobite fans like myself and can only really recommend it if you already have a lot of trilobite books and just want to add another to that collection.
However, when it comes to the meat of the book, it really does fit what the name of the book is. That being COMMON. Trilobites of NORTH AMERICA. The Trilobite accounts are arranged linearly range in time from the Lower Cambrian to the Pennsylvanian (Or late Carboniferous as some call it). Something I find rather strange is that while the Cambrian is rightfully divided into three sections representing the Lower, middle, and Upper sections. The remaining periods are not however divided in such a way instead starting with a generalized Ordovician section or Silurian section before going onto a specific period of time. In the Ordovician there is a middle and upper section of the period. While the following Silurian and Devonian only have one for the middle part of the period.
This seems strangely inconsistent, wouldn't make more sense to have all the periods divided in the same manner that the Cambrian sections are. Also some periods clearly have more trilobites than others, but that would be the case regardless of how the book was structured. While yes Trilobites did decline over time, I still think there were a number of species that could have been shown especially in the Silurian and Devonian. Unlike others though i don't mind the decision to use the terminology of Pennsylvanian and Mississippian instead of early and Late Carboniferous though. The terms mean more to me than other people. The Permian was completely ignored though sadly.
Now this book was released in 1999 and as such some of the taxonomy has become dated overtime. Of particular note is the two new orders Harpida with their large heads that converged on horseshoe crabs and the utterly bizarre Trinucleida. Both of which were formerly grouped into larger Orders; Ptychopariida for Harpids, which are a heterogenous group still quite contentious. And Asaphida for the Trinucleida. Which are a group known for species with rather strange members known for their eyes on stalks. The book of course doesn't have these newest recognized groupings even if it shows their members.
With that being said the scope of the book is perhaps the greatest limitation. It really only discusses common Trilobites of North America, which ignores all the great diversity of really common species beyond North America, and also ignoring species that are frankly beautiful from North American that may just not be as common as others. This is a real shame as I think if this book was wider in scope and updated taxonomy it could genuinely be a very helpful resource. As it is though it remains niche and overly specific even to Trilobite fans like myself and can only really recommend it if you already have a lot of trilobite books and just want to add another to that collection.
July 27, 2012
A good standard text on everyone's favorite fossil.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews