Beschreibung
An introduction to the evolution and adaptation of amphibians and reptiles, bridging the gulf between the plethora of 'popular' books and the more advanced texts directed towards the needs of specialist research workers, thus making it accessible to advanced students worldwide. It explains basic principles in non-technical terms, and covers the adaptive responses to natural selection which have engendered the diversity of forms that exist in the fossil record and are found in the world today. The book also includes the extinct forms such as dinosaurs, ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs, and concludes with a dsicussion of relationships with mankind and the preservation of diversity. XXXXXXX Neuer Text This title is an introduction to the evolution and adaptation of amphibians and reptiles, which is accessible to a wide range of readers. Basic principles are explained in non-technical terms, and the adaptive responses to natural selection which have engendered the diversity of forms that exist in the fossil record and that are found in the world today are covered. In the concluding chapter, the relationship between mankind and the preservation of diversity is discussed.
Autorenporträt
Inhaltsangabe1 Introduction.- 2 Evolution.- 3 Convergence and Extinction.- 4 Locomotory Diversity on the Ground.- 5 Arboreal, Aerial and Aquatic Locomotion.- 6 Diversity of Anti-predator Devices.- 7 Nutritional Diversity.- 8 Reproductive Diversity and Life Histories.- 9 Daily and Seasonal Cycles, Hibernation, Aestivation and Migration.- 10 Thermal Diversity and Temperature Regulation.- 11 Water Balance and Excretion.- 12 Relationships with Mankind.
