Study of Chordate Origins and Evolution

Description

For more than 150 million years, vertebrates were re-stricted to the oceans, but about 365 million years ago, the evolution of limbs in one lineage of vertebrates set the stage for these vertebrates to colonize land. There they diversified into amphibians, reptiles (including birds), and mammals. Vertebrates are members of the phylum Chordata, the chordates. Chordates are bilaterian (bilaterally symmetrical) animals, and within Bilateria, they belong to the clade of animals known as Deuterostomes. From the tiniest fishes, diminutive salamanders, and miniaturized lizards to gargantuan dinosaurs, enormous brontotheres, and immense whales, vertebrates have captured the imagination of the lay public as well as the most erudite academics. They are among the best-studied organisms. This book “Study of Chordate Origins and Evolution” employs beautifully rendered illustrations of these diverse lineages along with informative text to document a rich evolutionary history. It is useful for both the students as well as those are connected with this domain.