Functional Morphology of the Invertebrate Skeleton

Functional morphology is the relationship between the form and the function of an organism, seen in an adaptive and evolutionary context. This book deals with the functional morphology of the invertebrate skeleton, and concentrates on the taxonomic groups that are of greatest interest to the palaeontologist. Coverage of a broad variety of fossil as well as living invertebrates is included. Each group is treated by a specialist, providing a thorough and up–to–date review of the field. In addition to this general treatment, several short sections deal with topical and detailed observations that are seldom covered in a general text. The book also contains extensive coverage of theoretical, experimental and practical aspects of research in functional morphology, including field and laboratory techniques, computer modelling and even illustration techniques. Functional Morphology of the Invertebrate Skeleton provides a thorough introduction and overview of the subject for the professional palaeontologist and biologist. It is sufficiently generic and comprehensive to be used as a student textbook and its up–to–date coverage of the latest research constitutes a much needed shelf reference and modern review of the field.

Spis treści:
Partial table of contents:
IDEAS, METHODS AND TOOLS.
Introduction to Functional Morphology (E. Savazzi).
Comparative Issues: Homology, Homoplasy and Evolution in Functional Adaptation (A. Minelli).
The Paradigm Method (C. Paul).
Invertebrate Structural Colours (A. Parker).
Conodonts: Functional Analysis of Disarticulated Skeletal Structures (M. Purnell).
MOLLUSCA.
Terrestrial Gastropods (C. Paul).
Anti–Predator Defences of Shelled Gastropods (A. Kohn).
Life Habits of Ammonoids (G. Westermann C. Tsujita).
Scaphopoda (E. Yochelson).
BRACHIOPODA.
Function of External Skeletal Characteristics of Articulate Brachiopods (R. Alexander).
Function of Shell Micr ostructure and Internal Morphology of Articulate Brachiopods (R. Alexander).
The Theoretical Enigma of Non–Biconvex Brachiopod Shell Form (G. McGhee).
Morphological Consequences of Mass Extinction in Brachiopods: A Theoretical Perspective (G. McGhee).
ARTHROPODA.
Kazacharthra (K. McKenzie P. Chen).
Ostracods (K. McKenzie, et al.).
A Few Case Histories of Cirripeds (E. Savazzi).
The Trilobite Exoskeleton (R. Fortey R. Owens).
OTHER PHYLA.
Echinoderms and Calcichordates (S. Donovan).
Serpulid Polychaetes (E. Savazzi).
Fossil Colonial Corals: Colony Type and Growth Form (G. Young).
Fossil Colonial Corals: Growth Patterns and Coral–Substrate Relationships (G. Young).
Index.

Okładka tylna:
Functional morphology is the relationship between the form and the function of an organism, seen in an adaptive and evolutionary context. This book deals with the functional morphology of the invertebrate skeleton, and concentrates on the taxonomic groups that are of greatest interest to the palaeontologist. Coverage of a broad variety of fossil as well as living invertebrates is included. Each group is treated by a specialist, providing a thorough and up–to–date review of the field. In addition to this general treatment, several short sections deal with topical and detailed observations that are seldom covered in a general text. The book also contains extensive coverage of theoretical, experimental and practical aspects of research in functional morphology, including field and laboratory techniques, computer modelling and even illustration techniques. Functional Morphology of the Invertebrate Skeleton provides a thorough introduction and overview of the subject for the professional palaeontologist and biologist. It is sufficiently generic and comprehensive to be used as a student textbook and its up–to–date coverage of the latest research constitutes a much needed shelf reference and mode rn review of the field.