A state-of-the-science view of current world research, the volume includes comprehensive coverage of dinosaur systematics, reproduction, and life history strategies, biogeography, taphonomy, paleoecology, thermoregulation, and extinction. Its internationally renowned authors--forty-four specialists on the various members of the Dinosauria--contribute definitive descriptions and illustrations of these magnificent Mesozoic beasts. The first section of "The Dinosauria "begins with the origin of the great clade of these fascinating reptiles, followed by separate coverage of each major dinosaur taxon, including the Mesozoic radiation of birds. The second part of the volume navigates through broad areas of interest. Here we find comprehensive documentation of dinosaur distribution through time and space, discussion of the interface between geology and biology, and the paleoecological inferences that can be made through this link. This new edition will be the benchmark reference for everyone who needs authoritative information on dinosaurs.

    The third edition of this popular text has been extensively revised to incorporate the latest research, including new material from North and South America, Australia, Europe, China, Africa and Russia.*Highlights astonishing new discoveries including new dinosaurs and Mesozoic birds from China*features a new chapter on how to study fossil vertebrates*provides an increased emphasis on the cladistic framework with cladograms set apart from the body of the text and full lists of diagnostic characters*includes new molecular evidence on early mammal diversification*new features aid study including new functional and developmental feature spreads, key questions and extensive references to useful web sites*strong phylogenetic focus making it an up-to-date source of the latest broad-scale systematic data on vertebrate evolution