280082 VO Introduction into Palaeontology (2005W)

This lecture gives an introduction into the main disciplines of Palaeontology. It will start with a brief summary about fossilization, the principals of taxonomy and systematic, the main events in the history of Palaeontology and some insights into evolutionary theories. The tools of stratigraphy are presented such as Geochronology (e.g. Radiocarbon, Strontium, Magnetostratigraphy, Oxygen Isotopes) as well as Bio- and Lithostratigraphy. The main part will cover the general bauplan of plants and animals, emphasised are the stratigraphic important fossils. All of them are considered in Palaeobiology dealing with Facies, Palaeoecology, -physiology and -biogeography. The last part will discuss the different patterns and theories of extinctions.