Comparative Vertebrate Morphology

Comparative Vertebrate Morphology provides a comprehensive discussion of vertebrate morphology. The structure-function concept at the level of organs and organ systems is fundamental to an understanding of comparative evolutionary morphology. It is upon these three interrelated aspects—structure, function, and evolution— that that contents of this volume have been organized and presented. The book opens with a discussion of general concepts on vertebrate evolution. This is followed by separate chapters on vertebrate phylogeny, skeletal components, the cranial and postcranial skeleton, muscular tissues, muscular system, and development of the integument, nervous tissues, sense organs, nervous system structure, nervous pathways, and endocrines. Subsequent chapters deal with the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory and water balance, and reproductive systems. This book was designed to meet the needs of a one-semester course for students who have already had an introductory course in biology. It is assumed that the lectures will be supplemented by a laboratory with its own laboratory manual. The organization of the text allows the instructor to coordinate the laboratory and lecture portions of the course.

The purpose of this book, now in its third edition, is to introduce the morphology of vertebrates in a context that emphasizes a comparison of structire and of the function of structural units. The comparative method involves the analysis of the history of structure in both developmental and evolutionary frameworks. The nature of adaptation is the key to this analysis. Adaptation of a species to its environment, as revealed by its structure, function, and reproductive success, is the product of mutation and natural selection–the process of evolution. The evolution of structure and function, then, is the theme of this book which presents, system by system, the evolution of structure and function of vertebrates. Each chapter presents the major evolutionary trends of an organ system, with instructions for laboratory exploration of these trends included so the student can integrate concept with example.

Designed for an upper-level majors course, this text features an emphasis on function and evolution of vertebrates, anatomical detail, and pedagogy. Vertebrate groups are organized phylogenetically, and their systems discussed. Morphology is foremost, but the text also covers function and evolution into the discussion of anatomy.

This high-quality laboratory manual may accompany any comparative anatomy text, but correlates directly to Kardong's Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution text. This text carefully guides students through dissections and is richly illustrated. First and foremost, the basic animal architecture is presented in a clear and concise manner. This richly illustrated manual carefully guides students through dissections. Throughout the dissections, the authors pause strategically to bring the students attention to the significance of the material they have just covered.

This book explores afresh the long-standing interest, and emphasis on, the `special' capacities of primates. Some of the recent discoveries of the higher cognitive abilities of other mammals and also birds challenge the concept that primates are special and even the view that the cognitive ability of apes is more advanced than that of nonprimate mammals and birds. It is therefore timely to ask whether primates are, in fact, special and to do so from a broad range of perspectives. Divided into five sections this book deals with topics about higher cognition and how it is manifested in different species, and also considers aspects of brain structure that might be associated with complex behavior.

This second edition has been thoroughly revised. Part A is devoted to the discussion of chordates' evolution and classification. Part B deals with comparative anatomy and provides an introduction to structure-function concept at the level of organs and the organ system. The subject matter is discussed briefly and lucidly and in a sequential manner.