Trends In 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.

This volume is the result of a NATO Advanced Study Institute held in England at Kingswood Hall of Residence, Royal Holloway College (London University), Surrey, during the last two weeks of July, 1976. The ASI was organized within the guide lines laid down by the Scientific Affairs Division of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. During the past two decades, significant advances have been made in our understanding of vertebrate evolution. The purpose of the Institute was to present the current status of our know ledge of vertebrate evolution above the species level. Since the subject matter was obviously too broad to be covered adequately in the limited time available, selected topics, problems, and areas which are applicable to vertebrate zoology as a whole were reviewed. The program was divided into three areas: (1) the theory and methodology of phyletic inference and approaches to the an alysis of macroevolutionary trends as applied to vertebrates; (2) the application of these methodological principles and an alytical processes to different groups and structures, particular ly in anatomy and paleontology; (3) the application of these re sults to classification. The basic principles considered in the first area were outlined in lectures covering the problems of character analysis, functional morphology, karyological evidence, biochemical evidence, morphogenesis, and biogeography.

This book provides students and researchers with reviews of biological questions related to the evolution of feeding by vertebrates in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Based on recent technical developments and novel conceptual approaches, the book covers functional questions on trophic behavior in nearly all vertebrate groups including jawless fishes. The book describes mechanisms and theories for understanding the relationships between feeding structure and feeding behavior. Finally, the book demonstrates the importance of adopting an integrative approach to the trophic system in order to understand evolutionary mechanisms across the biodiversity of vertebrates.

In this first volume of a new series, Maina (School of Anatomical Sciences, U. of the Witwatersrand) discusses the morphologies of vertebrate respiratory organs and structures, explaining the differences among functional designs and strategies that have developed in order to facilitate the acquisition of molecular oxygen and elimination of carbon dioxide. Geared towards a wide range of readers (students of biology, experts in zoology, physiology, morphology, biological microscopy, biomedical engineering, paleontology, ecology, etc.), the first chapter outlines fundamental factors that prescribed the design of the gas exchangers and the principles upon which the constructions were founded, with subsequent chapters sequenced to show the progressive developments in the evolution of vertebrate respiratory organs approximately in the order in which they occurred. Illustrated with 97 full page b & w images, a four-page section of color photographs, and several b & w drawings. Distributed by Enfield. Oversize: 9x12". Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Dealing with important systems starting from lower vertebrates to mammals, this book covers topics including morphological, biochemical and molecular aspects of cartilages of the skeleton of sea lamprey; evolutionary transformation of respiratory islets of airbreathing fish, and more.

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.

Functional approach to morphology--treatment is unique as to organization, thoroughness, and extent of biomechanical analysis. * Profusely illustrated with high quality original artwork. * Comment boxes evaluate points of controversy and note inadequately understood phenomena.