PALEONTOLOGY

 PALEONTOLOGY

A. Definition

Paleontology

Etymologically:
Paleo: ancient/old.
Onto: life.
Logy: science.

Terminologically:
The science that studies ancient life (animals and plants) preserved in the form of fossils.

Paleontology.......Geology.

Neontology

Etymologically:
Neo: new.
Onto: life.
Logy: science.

Terminologically:
The science that studies living organisms (animals and plants) in the present time.

Neontology.......Biology.

B. Classification

Paleontology is broadly divided into two scientific fields:

a. Micropaleontology:
The study of fossils that require visual aids (such as hand lenses, microscopes, etc.) to be observed.
Example: foraminifera.

foraminifera

b. Macropaleontology:
The study of fossils that do not require visual aids (such as hand lenses, microscopes, etc.) to be observed.
Example: trilobite.

trilobite

However, some also classify Paleontology into three scientific fields, namely:

a. Paleozoology:
The study of animal fossils. It consists of two subfields:

i. Invertebrate Paleontology:
The study of invertebrate (non-vertebrate) animal fossils.
Example: nautilus.

nautilus

ii. Vertebrate Paleontology:
The study of vertebrate (backboned) animal fossils.
Example: brontosaurus.

brontosaurus

b. Paleobotany:
The study of plant fossils.
Example: dinoflagellate.

dinoflagellate

c. Micropaleontology:
The study of small-sized fossils.
Example: conodonts.

 conodonts

C. Objectives

The objectives of studying Paleontology are:

1. Determining age.

2. Determining depositional environment.

3. Determining ancient climate.

4. History of life development.

5. Assisting in reconstructing the development of living organisms.

D. Related Materials

Here are the paleontology materials available on this blog:

• Fossils, Fossilization, and Rocks

• The Fossil Formation Process

• Fossil 1: Brachiopoda and Pelecypoda

• Fossil 2: Gastropoda and Cephalopoda

• Fossil 3: Porifera and Coelenterata/Cnidaria

• Fossil 4: Echinodermata and Arthropoda

• Fossil 5: Ichnofossils

• Fossil 6: Vertebrates

• Evolution