Paleobiology

As part of Paleobiology areas, methods and concepts within the paleontology are summarized, which are devoted to the biological resources of extinct organisms - in contrast to Applied Paleontology, dealing with fossils as a source of information for the investigation of geoscientific issues, for example, approach draws for the temporal classification of sedimentary rocks ( biostratigraphy ) and for the characterization of geological formation spaces ( Biofaziesanalyse ). Some of the questions Biofaziesanalyse, the Fossilisationslehre and biostratigraphy are discussed in the context of Paleobiology.

Object of study of Paleobiology, besides the fossils and molecular data now living and recently extinct organisms ( "Molecular Paleobiology ") and now lives compared organisms whose biology on the principle of phylogenetic bezel ( " Extant Phylogenetic Bracket " ) or on the basis of analogies with the statements on the biology extinct organisms permits ( Actuopalaeontology ).

The Paleobiology can analogous to biology in palaeozoology, paleobotany are systematically divided ( and further ). As such, they involve data about extinct groups and / or are looking to take on these statements, many research fields in biology today living organisms ( " neonatal " ) may also be part of Paleobiology. This is true as classical fields of palaeontological research on the comparative anatomy, systematics, phylogenetics, the, functional morphology, ecology and biogeography. Especially since the 1980s are also more sub-areas such as physiology, pathology, Skeletthistologie that Sklerochronologie, developmental biology, behavioral biology, biomechanics, molecular biology and biochemistry often subject paläobiologischer research.

When ( a ) the founder of this research applies the Vienna Othenio Abel.

Extant Phylogenetic Bracket

In order to make statements about the soft -body anatomy or other non-restorable enabled features of extinct creatures use Paläobiologen the principle of phylogenetic bezel ( Extant Phylogenetic Bracket): characteristics, both in the next, and as well as in the related second closest extant group of an extinct group occur, I can also assume for this extinct group as given.

Group A tart, has feature x

Group B, extinct, presence of characteristic x concluded

Group C tart, has feature x

For example, if people than the next and chimpanzees than the second closest relatives of Australopithecus today have a self-confidence (which could be expressed for example in the existence of the so-called mirror test ), then a self-confidence can also be assumed for Australopithecus as given.