Colbert's Evolution of the Vertebrates: A History of the Backboned Animals Through Time, 5th Edition

Colbert's Evolution of the Vertebrates: A History of the Backboned Animals Through Time, 5th Edition

Vertebrate evolution is studied through comparative anatomy and functional morphology of existing vertebrates as well as fossil records. Since the publication of the previous edition of Colbert's Evolution of the Vertebrates: A History of the Backboned Animals Through Time, there have been significant advances in the knowledge surrounding backboned animals. This latest edition of the classic text is completely revised to offer the most recent discoveries in this continually evolving field of science. Covering the various aspects of vertebrate life, from skeletal system to ecology, behavior, and physiology, the Fifth Edition includes new sections on conodonts, dinosaurs, primates, and the origin of birds, and discusses:
* Analysis of morphological and molecular data
* Early diversification of vertebrates
* The evolution of dinosaurs
* The origin of mammals
* Early ruling reptiles
* Basic adaptation of ungulates

Colbert's Evolution of the Vertebrates, Fifth Edition carries on its legacy as an invaluable reference for professionals in evolutionary biology and paleontology, as well as an ideal textbook for students in those fields.

Contents

Introduction.

Jawless Vertebrates.

Acanthodians and Placoderms.

Sharklike Fishes.

Bony Fishes.

Lobe-Fin Fishes and the Transition to Land.

Early Paleozoic Faunas.

Amphibians.

The Advent of Reptiles.

Late Paleozoic Faunas.

Lepidosaurs.

Aquatic Reptiles.

Early Ruling Reptiles.

Triumph of the Dinosaurs.

Aerial Reptiles.

Birds.

Years of the Dinosaurs.

Mammal-Like Reptiles.

Beginning of the Mammals.

Marsupials.

Introduction to the Placentals.

Early Placental Diversification.

The Primates and Their Allies.

Rodents and Rabbits.

Creodonts and Carnivores.

Whales and Dolphins.

Primitive Ungulates.

Artiodactyls.

South American Ungulates.

Perissodactyls.

Elephants and Their Kin.

Cenozoic Faunas.

A Classification of the Phylum Chordata.

Bibliography.

Key to Abbreviations of Bone Names Used in Illustrations.

Sources and Credits for Illustrations.