An Introduction to the Invertebrates
An Introduction to the Invertebrates
£51.99
GBPSo much has to be crammed into today's biology courses that basic information on animal groups and their evolutionary origins is often left out. This is particularly true for the invertebrates. The second edition of Janet Moore's An Introduction to the Invertebrates fills this gap by providing a short updated guide to the invertebrate phyla, looking at their diverse forms, functions and evolutionary relationships. This book first introduces evolution and modern methods of tracing it, then considers the distinctive body plan of each invertebrate phylum showing what has evolved, how the animals live, and how they develop. Boxes introduce physiological mechanisms and development. The final chapter explains uses of molecular evidence and presents an up-to-date view of evolutionary history, giving a more certain definition of the relationships between invertebrates. This user-friendly and well-illustrated introduction will be invaluable for all those studying invertebrates.
- A simple clear introduction to invertebrates, emphasising directions of evolution in each group
- Explains recent studies of evolutionary relationships using molecular methods
- Each phylum is introduced by a relevant theme and boxes supply basic information without interrupting the text
Reviews & endorsements
'Anyone who is concerned about biological diversity and the current extinction crisis realizes that we desperately need to train more people in invertebrate biology … I strongly recommend this book to all undergraduates who are interested in biology: it provides a lucid, yet comprehensive, introduction to a significant proportion of the diversity of life on Earth.' Trends in Parasitology
'Janet Moore's An Introduction to the Invertebrates offers something different: a smartly annotated, comprehensive outline. The writing is clear, simple and to the point. The chapters are organised taxonomically, but within the chapters the topic heads are broad zoological questions, instead of the drearily repetitive '… nervous system, excretory system, reproduction, development, etc …'.' Invertebrata
'A very accessible book that will serve as an excellent overview of the invertebrate animals.' Wildlife Activist
Product details
September 2006Paperback
9780521674065
340 pages
234 × 206 × 19 mm
0.63kg
48 b/w illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Illustration acknowledgements
- 1. The process of evolution: natural selection
- 2. The pattern of evolution: methods of investigation
- 3. Porifera
- 4. Cnidaria
- 5. On being a worm
- 6. Platyhelminthes
- 7. Nemertea
- 8. Nematoda
- 9. Annelida
- 10. Mollusca: general and Gastropoda
- 11. Mollusca: Bivalvia and Cephalopoda
- 12. Arthropoda: general
- 13. Crustacea
- 14. Chelicerata and Myriapoda
- 15. Insecta
- 16. Animals with lophophores
- 17. Echinodermata
- 18. Invertebrate Chordata and Hemichordata
- 19. Development
- 20. Invertebrate evolutionary history
- Further reading and references
- Glossary
- Index.
