Basic concepts. Introduction ; Basic concepts and useful information ; The main fossil groups -- New Mexico paleontology. Introduction ; Paleozoic era ; Mesozoic era ; Cenozoic era -- The present : an afterword.

In this updated and expanded version of his 1982 book Fossils of New Mexico, Kues offers a detailed overview of the fauna and flora of New Mexico through the past 500 million years, from Cambrian through Pleistocene time. An explosion in our knowledge of the state's fossil record has occurred in the past twenty-five years, and in this comprehensive examination Kues thoroughly discusses new discoveries and interpretations as well as the classic New Mexico fossil assemblages that are known worldwide.

After an introductory section covering basic paleontological concepts and a survey of the major groups of animals, plants, and protozoans, each chapter focuses on the state's fossil record for an individual geological period or epoch. These chapters include a summary of important paleontological and evolutionary events, an outline of the stratigraphy of the state, maps, and commentary on the vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants that lived in New Mexico during each time interval. Numerous illustrations portray the important fossils known from the state. This book demonstrates not only how rich and diverse New Mexico's record of past life is, but also documents ongoing studies that will lead to new discoveries.

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