Evolutionary Biology

1. Fossil Record and Paleontology
   1. Understanding Fossils
      1. Definition of Fossils
         1. Body Fossils
         2. Trace Fossils
      2. Fossilization Processes
         1. Permineralization
         2. Casts and Molds
         3. Amber Preservation
         4. Freezing and Mummification
      3. Dating Fossils
         1. Relative Dating
            1. Law of Superposition
            2. Stratigraphy
         2. Absolute Dating
            1. Radiometric Techniques
            2. Carbon-14 Dating
            3. Potassium-Argon Dating
   2. Major Fossil Discoveries
      1. Iconic Fossils
         1. Archaeopteryx
         2. Tiktaalik
         3. Lucy (Australopithecus afarensis)
      2. Fossil Bed Sites
         1. Burgess Shale
         2. La Brea Tar Pits
         3. Hell Creek Formation
      3. Pioneering Paleontologists
         1. Mary Anning
         2. Georges Cuvier
         3. Charles Doolittle Walcott
   3. Evolutionary Transitions and Extinctions
      1. Major Evolutionary Milestones
         1. Transition from Aquatic to Terrestrial Life
         2. Evolution of Mammals
         3. Bird Evolution from Theropods
      2. Mass Extinctions
         1. The Permian-Triassic Extinction
         2. Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction
         3. Impact on Biodiversity
      3. Adaptive Radiations
         1. Post-Extinction Diversifications
         2. Role in Species Evolution
   4. Role in Understanding Macroevolution
      1. Patterns of Evolution
         1. Gradualism
         2. Punctuated Equilibrium
      2. Documenting Long-term Changes
         1. Anagenesis vs. Cladogenesis
         2. Evidence from Transitional Fossils
      3. Implications for Phylogenetic Studies
         1. Calibration of Molecular Clocks
         2. Reconstruction of Ancestor-Descendant Relationships
      4. Insights into Ancient Environments
         1. Climate Indicators from Fossil Evidence
         2. Paleoecology and Community Assemblages