Publisher's Synopsis
This textbook on the vertebrates integrates ecology, behaviour, evolution, paleontology, development, morphology and physiology in relation to how an organism works.;Using cladistic organization the book includes self-contained chapters on living forms which do not depend on previously presented information. It summarizes the changes in continental positions, climates and habitats from the Paleozoic period to the present and discusses current issues and controversies. The new edition covers ecology and behaviour, embryonic development, vertebrate evolutionary morphology, physiology, ectothermy and endothermy.
