For most of the past 300 million years, the world's continents were
interlinked as the supercontinents Pangaea and then Gondwana. Around 50
million years ago, Australia tore itself free from Antarctica to become
the huge, splendidly isolated island it is today. Over time, its
creatures began to evolve in ways not seen anywhere else on Earth, with
tree-climbing crocodiles, gigantic venomous lizards, walking omnivorous
bats and flesh-eating kangaroos roaming the continent.
Prehistoric Australasia: Visions of Evolution and Extinction presents
some of the most extraordinary creatures the world has ever seen - all
unique to Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand and their surrounding
islands.
Over 100 meticulously painted panoramas by palaeoartist Peter Schouten
are accompanied by descriptions of the unique environments and features
of these animals, written by four of Australia's foremost
palaeontologists. This book explores the nature and timing of extinction
events in the Southern Hemisphere, considers whether some of these
losses might be able to be reversed, and how we can use the fossil
record to help save today's critically endangered species. Through
stunning artwork and fascinating text, Prehistoric Australasia brings
this globally unique transformation over time to glorious, colorful
life.
Features:
- Offers fascinating glimpses into the prehistoric past of Australia,
New Zealand and New Guinea.
- More than 100 paintings showcasing the changing biotas of Australasia
over the last 3.6 billion years.
- Reveals the unique features of prehistoric animals and the
environments where they lived.
