Insect Fossil Treasures from Dinosaur Era of the Northeastern China

Silent Stories-Insect Fossil Treasures from Dinosaur Era of the Northeastern China

Language:   English

Publication Date: 2010

Number of Pages: 322 pages

IBSN: 9787030281913

Insect fossil treasures from the dinosaur era （165 to 130 Ma） in northeastern China are showcased in Ithis book with their silent stories. Not only their taxonomy and morphology, but also their potential implications on natural sciences are presented here. Besides academic science, we highlight popular science by providing information on extant insects and insect-related stories. Elegant and beautiful photos of fossil and extant insects are shown to illustrate our stories while serving as visual arts. In addition to the 18 insect orders （Chapters 5 to 22）, the book also covers fossil sites （1 and 4）, palaeogeology （2）, co-existing animals and plants （3）, palaeo-ecosystems （23）, pollination and "flower" visits （24） and insect mimicry （25）. Judging by the high diversity and the large population of the fossil insects, insects have certainly played critical roles in the evolution and eco-systems over eons, which in turn have made Insecta a highly successful class.Intended to appeal to a broad spectrum of readers （such as palaeontologists, entomologists, evolutionists,palaeoecologists, fossil collectors, naturalists, hobbyists and students）, we hope that readers will have fun while gaining new understanding and enjoying the artistic presentations. New fossil findings and further studies will continue to expand knowledge and deepen understanding in these fields. Getting young readers of this book to be interested in these fields, we hope some of them will be inspired to become entomologists or palaeontologists to make their contribution to natural sciences.

 About the author:

Dr. SHIH Chungkun is a Visiting Professor since December 2004 in the College of Life Sciences of the CNU on a volunteer basis. His research interests include morphology,taxonomy and evolution of northeastern Chinese fossil insects and their interactions with fossil plants. So far he has co-authored more than 40 papers on insect fossils and coevolution with plants, including a recent paper in Sdence. Dr.Shih received a B. S. (1972) in Chemical Engineering from the Taiwan University, a M. S. (1975) and Ph.D. (1978) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania,a M. S. (1978) in Operations Research from Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania and a MBA (1982) in Marketing from the Fairleigh Dickinson University. He recently retired after 3 years with Merck and 28 years with Infineum, a joint venture between ExxonMobil Chemical and Shell Chemical. From 1998 to 2009, he was involved in business management for Infineum China and its two joint ventures in China. His business work for a joint venture company in Jinzhou, Liaoning started his passion and studies of insect and plant fossils, which led to his cooperative research with Prof Ren and other collaborators. He has given presentations on fossil treasures from the northeastern China in Singapore, China and USA. He resides in Scotch Plains, NJ with his family.

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 The Upper Mesozoic Stratigraphic Characteristics in Northeastern China

Chapter 3 Well-Balanced Eco-systems

Chapter 4 Insects On the Spot Light

Chapter 5 EphemeropteraA Short Life to Live

Chapter 6 Odonata--Terminators with Wings

Chapter 7 Plecoptera -Indicator of Water Quality

Chapter 8 Blattodea--Survivors of the Fittest

Chapter 9 Grylloblattodea--Rare Living Fossils

Chapter 10 Dermaptera--Mysrery at Night

Chapter 11 Orthoptera--The Sound of Chirping

Chapter 12 Chresmodidae--Skiing on Water

Chapter 13 Phasmatodea--Swaying in the Wind

Chapter 14 Homoptera--17 Years Underground

Chapter 15 Heteroptera--Smelly Defense or Piercing Offense

Chapter 16 Raphidioptera--Looking Out and Looking Forward

Chapter 17 Neuroptera--Grace with Lace

Chapter 18 Coleoptera--Sacred, Precious and Strong

Chapter 19 Mecoptera--Stinger without the Sting

Chapter 20 Diptera--"Vampires" for Dinosaurs

Chapter 21 Trichoptera Mobile Home Builder

Chapter 22 Hymenoptera--Pollinators' Contribution

Chapter 23 Reconstruction of Palaeoecology for Insect Faunas

Chapter 24 Pollination and "Flower" Visits

Chapter 25 Mimicry