Palaeontology of Invertebrates

How could life have started on Earth and how did it proceed? After a short discussion on the origin of life on Earth and the origin of the major body plans the invertebrates are presented in the order of increasing complexity by the most significant fossil representatives. In each case, the adaptive significance of the respective forms and/or structures which more or less profoundly changed the original body plan is treated in detail. In the closing chapter, some general aspects of invertebrates in evolution and palaeoecology, palaeobiogeography and biochronology are outlined.