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Evolution at All Scales in the Vertebrate Fossil Record

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 July 2017

John P. Hunter
John P. Hunter*
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York 11568 USA
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Extract

The fossil record of vertebrates provides abundant evidence for both the fact and the theory of evolution (Carroll, 1997; Prothero and Schoch, 1994). In support of the fact that evolution has indeed occurred, the vertebrate fossil record clearly documents evolutionary change along lineages, that is, along direct lines of ancestors and descendents. The fossil record also shows step-wise evolutionary changes resulting in the emergence of new kinds of vertebrates from pre-existing kinds—for example, the origin of mammals from the “mammal-like” reptiles. In support of the theory that natural selection, in particular, has been largely responsible for evolutionary change, the fossil record shows that the numerous “transitional” forms that lived in the past—far from being nonviable “monsters”—were functionally integrated organisms that were well adapted to their ecological roles. Finally, the vertebrate fossil record preserves certain large-scale phenomena, such as radiations and trends, which show that evolutionary forces can act over very large time scales.

Type
Section 3: Evidence for Evolution
Information
The Paleontological Society Special Publications , Volume 11: Evolution: Investigating the Evidence, 2nd ed. , 2002 , pp. 165 - 178
Copyright
Copyright © 1999, 2002 by The Paleontological Society 

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