Recommended books

Evolution of the Insects
by David Grimaldi and Michael S. Engel

"A landmark contribution, not just to entomology and evolutionary biology, but to the life sciences as a whole. Beautifully conceived, splendidly written, and exquisitely illustrated... Bound to remain a primary scientific reference for years to come. A must for naturalists, young and old. Truly a definitive work." Thomas Eisner, Cornell University.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
This book chronicles the complete evolutionary history of insects--their living diversity and relationships as well as 400 million years of fossils. Introductory sections cover the living species diversity of insects, methods of reconstructing evolutionary relationships, basic insect structure, and the diverse modes of insect fossilization and major fossil deposits. Major sections then explore the relationships and evolution of each order of hexapods.

The volume also chronicles major episodes in the evolutionary history of insects from their modest beginnings in the Devonian and the origin of wings hundreds of millions of years before pterosaurs and birds to the impact of mass extinctions and the explosive radiation of angiosperms on insects, and how they evolved into the most complex societies in nature. Whereas other volumes focus on either living species or fossils, this is the first comprehensive synthesis of all aspects of insect evolution.

Illustrated with 955 photo- and electron- micrographs, drawings, diagrams, and field photos, many in full color and virtually all of them original, this reference will appeal to anyone engaged with insect diversity--professional entomologists and students, insect and fossil collectors, and naturalists.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
George Poinar began collecting amber specimins over thirty years ago, but it was only recently that he, Roberta Poinar, and the rest of his research team astounded the scientific community with the news that they had obtained live DNA strands from an insect over 40 million years old. The news was so significant that it made headlines throughout the world. Since that time, their lab has remained extraordinarily active, and in the summer of 1993, they were able to announce the successful extraction of preserved DNA strands over 125 million years old. Thus, there is now DNA available for study dating from the early dinosaur period. In passages that read more like an Indiana Jones screenplay than a story about scientific research, the Poinars describe how what began as a hobby grew into a semi-obsession which ultimately led to a breakthrough scientific discovery. Along the way, they encounter all manner of unusual characters, from threatening black marketeers and gun-toting guerrillas to extraordinarily talented scientists, and of course, the luminously beautiful specimins captured in the still-life of amber.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
One of the earth's oldest natural treasures, Lebanese amber unlocks the secrets of a little-known world populated by dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and cycads. Dating back some 135 million years to the early Cretaceous, the amber contains the earliest known representatives of many insect groups. It was formed in a wet, tropical kauri pine forest long before Earth's continents reached their present positions." "This illustrated book, the first major review of Lebanese amber, covers all aspects of this rare and highly valued resin, including its origin and its role as a commodity in ancient cultures. The authors discuss each plant and animal fossil thus far recovered from the amber, including nematodes, snails, mites, spiders and insects, and the earliest complete feather." Paleontologists, biologists, and evolutionists will appreciate the book's new information, along with its summary of early research and its analysis of how these amber fossils can increase our understanding of insect diversification, biogeography, extinction, and survival. With its descriptions of the origins, characteristics, and ancient uses of Lebanese amber and other Near Eastern resins, the book will appeal to readers of natural history and amber and gem collectors as well.

Booknews:
This concise volume covers the major aspects of Lebanese amber— its origins 130 million years ago, its role as a commodity in ancient cultures, and its study and collection today. The book examines each plant and animal fossil recovered from the resin, and considers how these fossils can increase our understanding of insect diversification, biogeography, extinction, and survival. Illustrations (both black-and-white and color) are prominently featured. Poinar teaches entomology at the Oregon State University. Milki teaches public health at the American University of Beirut. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
At first sight the embedment of aquatic insects in Baltic amber seems to be contradictive, as the insects live in water and amber originated from resin of extinct trees that grew in a Fennoscandian montane forest approximately 40–50 million years ago. About 25% of all animals found in amber are aquatic insects. The larvae of these amphibious forms lived in water whereas adults were frequently terrestrial and capable of flying. The Tertiary “amber forest” apparently contained a great amount of lentic waters, flood plains and flowing waters. The resin was washed out of dead wood and streams and rivers transported it to the sea where it became fossilized into amber. Without water, the genesis of amber would be impossible. The high number of aquatic insects in amber is connected with the process of its fossilization. As if in a complex “paleontological jigsaw puzzle” amber inclusions are combined together so that the whole mosaic of the nature of 40–50 million years ago can be reconstructed.