Vertebrate Life

Widely praised for its comprehensive coverage and exceptionally clear writing style, this best-selling exploration of vertebrate life is the only book that integrates the ecology, behavior, morphology and physiology of vertebrates in a phylogenetic (cladistic) context. It focuses on how animals work and the consequences -- in ecological and evolutionary time -- of working one way versus another. Covers: Vertebrate Diversity, Function, and Evolution; Aquatic Vertebrates: Cartilaginous and Bony Fishes; Terrestrial Ectotherms: Amphibians, Turtles, Crocodilians, and Squamates; and Terrestrial Endotherms: Birds and Mammals. Includes cladograms -- with accompanying synopses and primary references -- illustrating the postulated relationships of vertebrates to reconcile the views of various authorities and illuminates major areas of disagreement. For anyone interested in vertebrates.