Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution

Vertebrates are characterized by a bony skeleton and a well-developed brain. The group contains fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. This text presents a balanced and integrated treatment of vertebrate structure and function, including chapters devoted to the skeletal system, the muscular system, the digestive system and the nervous system. It also discusses the evolution of vertebrate structures and their relationships to the environment.