Fine Preservation in Fossils: An Evolutionary Bonanza

Synopsis: Using scanning electron microscopy, examines Cretaceous fossil fish whose internal structure, e.g. gill lamellae, musculature, etc. had been preserved by bacteria-induced phosphatisation in the tissue within a few hours of death. Shows the Brazilian source of the fossils in order to understand why such freak fine preservation had occurred. Examines other methods of fossilisation: silicification, preserving the cellular structure of wood, etc. The evolutionary significance of these Brazilian fossils was demonstrated by means of studies on a mass mortality and by articulation studies on finely preserved pterosaur bones, which are found in concretions along with the fish. Film in Rio de Janeiro, and in the Chapada do Araripe in Ceara province in the north of Brazil.
Series: Evolution, Course S365
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. ? min.
Year of production: 1990
Availability: Sale; 1998 sale: £85.00 (+VAT +p&p)
Subjects: Biology
Keywords: Brazil; fish; fossils; palaeontology

Name: Open University Worldwide
Web: http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window
Phone: +44 (0) 1908 274066
Address: Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
Notes: NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk

This record has been viewed 252 times.