The Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology (or TIP) published by the Geological Society of America and the University of Kansas Press, is a definitive multi-authored work of some 50 volumes, written by more than 300 paleontologists, and covering every phylum, class, order, family, and genus of fossil and extant (still living) invertebrate genera. The prehistoric invertebrates are described as to their taxonomy, morphology, paleoecology, stratigraphic and paleogeographic range. However, genera with no fossil record whatsoever have just a very brief listing.

Publication of the decades-long Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology is a work-in-progress; and therefore it is not yet complete: For example, there is no volume yet published regarding the post-Paleozoic era caenogastropods (a molluscan group including the whelk and periwinkle). Furthermore, every so often, previously-published volumes of the Treatise are revised.

Contents 1 Evolution of the project 2 Layout of the articles 3 List of its volumes 3.1 Introduction (A) and sub-metazoan Prostista (B, C & D) 3.2 Archaeocyatha and Porifera (E) 3.3 Cnidaria or Coelenterata (F) 3.4 Bryozoa (G) 3.5 Brachiopoda (H) 3.6 Mollusca (I, J, K, L, M & N) 3.7 Arthropoda (O, P, Q & R) 3.8 Echinodermata (S, T & U) 3.9 Graptolithina (V) 3.10 Miscellanea and Conodonta (W) 4 External links 5 References

Evolution of the project

Raymond C. Moore, the project's founder and first editor, originally envisioned this Treatise in invertebrate paleontology as comprising just three large volumes, and totaling only three thousand pages.

The project began with work on a few, mostly-slim volumes in which a single senior specialist in a distinct field of invertebrate paleozoology would summarize one particular group. As a result, each publication became a comprehensive compilation of everything known at that time for each group. Examples of this stage of the project are Part G. Bryozoa, by Ray S. Bassler (the first volume, published in 1953), and Part P. Arthropoda Part 2, the Chelicerata by Alexander Petrunkevitch (1955/1956).

Around 1959 or 1960, as more and larger invertebrate groups were being addressed, the incompleteness of the then-current state of affairs became apparent. So several senior editors of the Treatise started major research programs to fill in the evident gaps. Consequently, the succeeding volumes, while still maintaining the original format, began to change from being a set of single-authored compilations into being major research projects in their own right. Newer volumes had a committee and a chief editor for each volume, with yet other authors and researchers assigned particular sections. Museum collections that had not been previously described were studied; and sometimes new major taxonomic families -- and even orders -- had to be described. More attention was given to transitional fossils and evolutionary radiation -- eventually producing a much-more complete encyclopedia of invertebrate paleontology.

But even in the second set of volumes, the various taxa were still described and organized in a classical Linnaean sense. The more-recent volumes began to introduce phylogenetic and cladistic ideas, along with new developments and discoveries in fields such as biogeography, molecular phylogeny, paleobiology, and organic chemistry, so that the current edition of Brachiopoda (1997 to 2002) is classified according to a cladistic arrangement, with three subphyla and a large number of classes replacing the original two classes of Articulata and Inarticulata.

All these discoveries led to revisions and additional volumes. Even those taxa already covered were expanded: Books such as those regarding the Cnidaria (vol. F), the Brachiopoda (vol. H) and the Trilobita (vol. O) each went from one modest publication to three large volumes. And yet another volume regarding the brachiopods (number five) was published in 2006.

Until 2007, the editor of the Treatise was Roger L. Kaesler at The Paleontological Institute at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas.

Layout of the articles

From the beginning, the character of the Treatise volumes has followed and further developed the pattern of the classic Invertebrate Paleontology written by Moore, Lalicker and Fischer (1953).

Following their lead, the Treatise includes in a typical article (a) a description of the basic anatomy of the modern members of each invertebrate group, (b) distinctive features of the fossils, (c) a comprehensive illustrated glossary of terms, (d) a short discussion of the evolutionary history of the group, (e) a stratigraphic range chart, done at the level of the major subdivision (lower, middle and upper) of each Geologic period.

This is followed by (f) a listing and technical description of every known genus, along with (g) geographic distribution (usually by continent only, but occasionally by country) and (h) stratigraphic range.

Next come (i) one or two representative species illustrated by line drawings (in the early volumes) or by black-and-white photographs (in subsequent volumes), each accompanied by an appropriate reference for that genus. Furthermore, each Treatise article includes (j) the date, authorship, and scientific history of the taxa.

Finally, there is (k) a comprehensive bibliography and list of references. Not only that, but the more recent volumes and revisions also include (l) new fossil and phylogenetic discoveries, (m) advances in numerical and cladistic methods, (n) analyis of the group's genome, (o) its molecular phylogeny, and so on.

List of its volumes

The following is an annotated list of the volumes already published (1953 to 2007) or volumes currently being prepared:

Introduction (A) and sub-metazoan Prostista (B, C & D)

• Part A. Introduction: Fossilization (Taphonomy), Biogeography, & Biostratigraphy, xxiii + 569 pages, 169 figures, 1979. ISBN 08137 30015.

• Part B. Protoctista / Protista, Volume 1: Charophyta, Sub-volume 1, 2005. ISBN 08137 30023. ---- Parts B through D refer to mostly one-celled, nucleated forms of life, typically fossilized due to their siliceous tests. "Protista" and Protoctista" are nearly synonymous.
  • (Part B. Protoctista / Protista, Volume 1: Chrysomonadida, Coccolithophorida, Charophyta, Diatomacea & Pyrrhophyta. Sub-volume 2 --- in preparation.)

• Part C. Protista / Protoctista, Volume 2: Sarcodina, Chiefly "Thecamoebians" & Foraminiferida, Sub-volumes 1 and 2, xxxi + 900 p., 653 fig., 1964. ISBN 08137 30031.

• Part D. Protista / Protoctista, Volume 3: Protozoa: Chiefly Radiolaria & Tintinnina, xii + 195 p., 92 fig., 1954. ISBN 08137 3004X.

Archaeocyatha and Porifera (E)

• Part E. Archaeocyatha & Porifera, xviii + 122 p., 89 fig., 1955. This original is out-of-print. ---- Part E refers to sponge-like animals, both calcareous and siliceous.
  • Part E, Revised. Archaeocyatha, Volume 1, xxx + 158 p., 107 fig., 1972. ISBN 08137 31054.
  • Part E, Revised. Porifera, Volume 2: Classes Demospongea, Lyssacinosa & Hexactinellida, xxvii + 349 p., 135 fig., 10 tables. 2003. ISBN 08137 31305.
  • Part E, Revised. Porifera, Volume 3: Classes Demospongea, Hexactinellida, Heteractinida & Calcarea, xxxi + 872 p., 506 fig., 1 table, 2004. ISBN 08137 31313.
    • (Part E, Revised. Porifera --- additional volumes in preparation)

Cnidaria or Coelenterata (F)

• Part F. Coelenterata / Cnidaria, xvii + 498 p., 358 fig., 1956. This original is out-of-print. --- Part F refers to the corals and other cnidarians. "Coelenterata" and "Cnidaria" are almost synonyms.
  • Part F. Coelenterata / Cnidaria, Supplement 1: Rugosa & Tabulata corals, xl + 762 p., 462 fig., 1981. ISBN 08137 30295.
    • (Part F, Revised. Cnidaria / Coelenterata: Scleractinia corals --- volume in preparation)

Bryozoa (G)

• Part G. Bryozoa, xii + 253 p., 175 fig., 1953. This original is out-of-print. --- Part G refers to the marine moss animals.
  • Part G, Revised. Bryozoa, Volume 1: Introduction, Order Cystoporata & Order Cryptostomata, xxvi + 625 p., 295 fig., 1983. ISBN 08137 31070.
    • (Part G, Revised. Bryozoa --- additional volumes in preparation)

Brachiopoda (H)

• Part H. Brachiopoda, xxxii + 927 p., 746 fig., 1965. This original is out-of-print. --- Part H refers to the mostly-extinct lampshells.
  • Part H, Revised. Brachiopoda, Volume 1: Introduction, xx + 539 p., 417 fig., 40 tables, 1997. ISBN 08137 31089.
  • Part H, Revised. Brachiopoda, Volumes 2 and 3: Sub-phyla Linguliformea, Craniiformea, & Rhynchonelliformea (1st part: Classes Chileta, Obolellata, Kutorginata, Strophomenta & Rhynochonellata), xxx + 919 p., 616 fig., 17 tables, 2000. ISBN 08137 31089 (same as above). --- For two closely-related internal Wikipedia links, see Inarticulata for the craniiform brachiopods, and Articulata for the rhynchonellidform brachs.
  • Part H, Revised. Brachiopoda, Volume 4: Sub-phylum Rhynchonelliformea (2nd part: Orders Pentamerida, Rhynchonellida, Atrypida & Athrydida), xxxix + 768 pp., 484 fig., 3 tables, 2002 / 2005. ISBN 08137 31089 (same as previous two volumes).
  • Part H, Revised. Brachiopoda, Volume 5: Sub-phylum Rhynchonelliformea (3rd part: Orders Spiriferida, Spiriferinida, Thecideida, Terebratulida & Uncertain), 2006. ISBN 08137 31356.

Mollusca (I, J, K, L, M & N)

• Part I. Mollusca 1: Mollusca General Features, Scaphopoda, Amphineura, Monoplacophora, Gastropoda General Features, Archaeogastropoda, Mainly Paleozoic Caenogastropoda and Opisthobranchia), xxiii + 351 p., 216 fig., 1960. This original is out-of-print. --- Parts I and J refer to the more primitive mollusks and the snails.

• (Part J, Mollusca 2: Paleozoic Gastropoda --- in preparation)

• Part K. Mollusca 3: Cephalopoda General Features, Endoceratoidea, Actinoceratoidea, Nautiloidea, & Bactritoidea, xxviii + 519 p., 361 fig., 1964. ISBN 08137 30112. --- Part K refers to the nautilus-related mollusks. Also, for a pertinent internal Wikipedia link, see the genus Endoceras for the endoceratoids.
  • (Part K, Revised. Mollusca 3: Nautiloidea --- volume in preparation)

• Part L. Mollusca 4: Ammonoidea, xxii + 490 p., 558 fig., 1957. This original is out-of-print. --- Part L refers to the group including the extinct ammonites and goniatites.
  • Part L, Revised. Mollusca 4: Cretaceous Ammonoidea, xx + 362 p., 216 fig., 1995 / 1996. ISBN 08137 31127.
    • (Part L, Revised. Mollusca 4: Paleozoic to Jurassic Ammonoidea --- additional volumes in preparation)

• (Part M. Mollusca 5: Coleoidea --- in preparation) --- Part M includes the squids, cuttlefish, and extinct belemnoids.

• Part N. Mollusca 6: Bivalvia, Volumes 1 and 2 (of 3), xxxvii + 952 p., 613 fig., 1969. ISBN 08137 30147. --- Part N refers to the clams, oysters, scallops, mussels and other commonly-fossilized pelecypods.
  • Part N. Mollusca 6: Bivalvia, Volume 3: Oysters, iv + 272 p., 153 fig., 1971. ISBN 08137 30260.

Arthropoda (O, P, Q & R)

• Part O. Arthropoda 1: Arthropoda General Features, Protarthropoda, Euarthropoda General Features, Trilobitomorpha, xix + 560 p., 415 fig., 1959. This original is out-of-print. --- Part O refers to the basal velvet worms (Onychophora) , primitive water bears (Tardigrada), and the often-fossilized, long-extinct trilobites.
  • Part O, Revised. Arthropoda 1: Trilobita: Introduction, Order Agnostida & Order Redlichiida, xxiv + 530 p., 309 fig., 1997. ISBN 08137 31151.
    • (Part O, Revised. Arthropoda 1: Trilobita --- additional volumes in preparation).

• Part P. Arthropoda 2: Chelicerata, Pycnogonida & Palaeoisopus, xvii + 181 p., 123 fig., 1955 / 1956. ISBN 08137 30163. --- Part P refers to the extinct giant sea scorpions, the horseshoe crabs, and the sea spiders.

• Part Q. Arthropoda 3: Crustacea & Ostracoda, xxiii + 442 p., 334 fig., 1961. ISBN 08137 30171. --- Parts Q and R refer to the true crabs, lobsters, often-fossilized seed shrimp (ostracods), myriapods (millipedes and centipedes), and the rarely-fossilized insects (hexapods).
  • (Part Q, Revised. Arthropoda 3 --- in preparation)

• Part R. Arthropoda 4, Volumes 1 and 2: Crustacea (exclusive of Ostracoda), Myriapoda, & Hexapoda, xxxvi + 651 p., 397 fig., 1969. This volume is out-of-print.
• Part R. Arthropoda 4, Volumes 3 and 4: Hexapoda, xxii + 655 p., 265 fig., 1992. This volume is out-of-print.
  • (Part R, Revised. Arthropoda 4 --- in preparation)

Echinodermata (S, T & U)

• Part S. Echinodermata 1: Echinodermata General Features, Homalozoa, Crinozoa (exclusive of Crinoidea), Volumes 1 and 2, xxx + 650 p., 400 fig., 1967 / 1968. This volume is out-of-print. ---- Part S refers to long-extinct, more-primitive, sessile echinoderms.

• Part T. Echinodermata 2: Crinoidea, Volumes 1 to 3, xxxviii + 1,027 p., 619 fig., 1978. This volume is out-of-print. ----Part T refers to the largely-extinct sea lily group.

• Part T. Echinodermata 2: Crinoidea & Fascicle, References & Index to Volumes 1 to 3, i + 90 p., 1978. This volume is out-of-print.
  • (Part T, Revised. Echinodermata 2: Crinoidea --- in preparation)

• Part U. Echinodermata 3: Asterozoans & Echinozoans, xxx + 695 p., 534 fig., 1966. ISBN 08137 30228. ---- Part U refers to groups including the sea stars and the sea urchins. For two closely-related internal Wikipedia links, see Asteroidea for the asterozoans, and Echinoidea for the echinozoans.

Graptolithina (V)

• Part V. Graptolithina, xvii + 101 p., 72 fig., 1955. This original is out-of-print. --- Part V refers to the extinct graptolites, as well as to other hemichordates.
  • Part V, Revised. Graptolithina: with sections on Enteropneusta & Pterobranchia, xxxii + 163 p., 109 fig., 1970 / 1971. ISBN 08137 31232.
    • (Part V, Revised. Graptolithina -- in preparation)

Miscellanea and Conodonta (W)

• Part W. Miscellanea: Conodonts, Conoidal shells of uncertain affinities, Worms, Trace Fossils, & problematica, xxv + 259 p., 153 fig., 1962. ISBN 08137 30244. --- The enigmatic conodonts may turn out to be primal vertebrates.
  • Part W, Revised. Miscellanea, Supplement 1: Trace Fossils and problematica, xxi + 269 p., 110 fig., 1975. This volume is out-of-print.
    • (Part W, Revised. Trace Fossils --- in preparation)
  • Part W, Revised. Miscellanea, Supplement 2: Conodonta, xxviii + 202 p., frontis., 122 fig., 1981. ISBN 08137 30287.

External links

• Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Volumes A through W, 1953 to 2006 (and continuing). Home page sponsored by Geological Society of America and The Paleontological Institute at the University of Kansas.

References

• Ladd, Harry S., editor, (1957 / 1971), Treatise on Ecology and Paleoecology, Volume 2: Paleoecology. Boulder, Colorado: Geological Society of America; and Washington, D.C. : Waverly Press.

• Moore, Raymond C., and other editors (1953 to 2006, and continuing ), Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Volumes A through W. Boulder, Colorado: Geological Society of America; and Lawrence, Kansas: University of Kansas Press.

• Ronald Singer (1999), Encyclopedia of Paleontology (London, England: Routledge), 1,467 pages.

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