The Neoproterozoic Era (1000-542 million years ago) is a geological period of dramatic climatic change and important evolutionary innovations. Repeated glaciations of unusual magnitude occurred throughout this tumultuous interval, and various eukaryotic clades independently achieved multicellularity, becoming more complex, abundant, and diverse at its termination. Animals made their first debut in the Neoproterozoic too. The intricate interaction among these geological and biological events is a centrepiece of Earth system history, and has been the focus of geobiological investigations in recent decades. The purpose of this volume is to present a sample of views and visions among some of the growing numbers of Neoproterozoic workers. The contributions represent a cross section of recent insights into the field of Neoproterozoic geobiology. Chapter One by Porter gives an up-- date review of Proterozoic heterotrophic eukaryotes, including fungi and various protists. Heterotrophs are key players in Phanerozoic ecosystems; indeed, most Phanerozoic paleontologists work on fossil heterotrophs. However, the fossil record of Proterozoic heterotrophs is extremely meagre.
From the reviews:
"The volumes of Springer's series 'Topics in Geobiology' bring together contributions from leading scientists in hot research fields investigating the interaction between Earth and life. ? For university libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals." (W. L. Cressler III, CHOICE, Vol. 44 (10), June, 2007)
"The emphasis on biology - whether geo or palaeo - is a heartening sign of the times ? . So is the volume successful? In principal, absolutely. This is very much the kind of multidisciplinary approach that is necessary to appreciate when and how biology revolutionized the surficial Earth system, yielding our modern, uniformitarian world. ? Its real value ? lies in synthesis, and the focus it brings to one of the most fascinating intervals in Earth history." (N. J. Butterfield, Geological Magazine, Vol. 145 (3), 2008)
