Advances in Paleontology and Classification Methods: From Descriptive Taxonomy to Virtual Imaging and 3D Modelling

Dear Colleagues,

Since its birth in the early XVII century, the field of Paleontology has undergone a number of methodological transformations. Fossil classification methods have been at the center of debates that culminated, at the end of the last century, in the cladistic revolution. Although cladistics has highlighted the limits of classical taxonomic methods (such as an over-reliance on qualitative analyses and personal interpretation), this new method also poses some problems, concerning, for instance, the information lost by overlooking qualitative aspects of morphological variability, or the limited “resolution” of cladistic analysis at the species level. The persistence of these issues contrasts with a new revolution currently taking place in Paleontology: the application of the latest technologies and modelling techniques, for instance CT scanning to generate virtual 3D imaging and synchrotron radiation to map the chemical composition of samples. These innovations provide a large amount of morpho-anatomical information for defining taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships. In this view, classification issues become relevant in the exploitation of the new data now available for analyzing fossil records and their bearing on evolutionary processes and the history of life.

This Special Issue aims to bring together case studies highlighting the taxonomic issues arising with the application of both classical and cladistic methods, as well as the outcomes from applying new technologies in the morpho-anatomic analysis of fossils. Although commonly viewed as separated, these aspects intertwine with respect to answering questions on evolutionary events and their relationship with environmental changes and large-scale patterns of biodiversity. Articles addressing any of the above themes are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Domenico Ridente
Guest Editor

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• fossils
• evolution
• history of life
• biodiversity