The Invertebrate Tree of Life

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In this comprehensive work, leading experts in invertebrate biology and paleontology utilize phylogenetics to trace the evolution of animals from their Proterozoic origins to the present. The authors base phylogenetic relationships among major animal groups on the latest molecular analyses, which increasingly incorporate genomic data and robust tree reconstruction methods. They examine the evolution of animal organ systems, highlighting how current debates on phylogenetic relationships influence our understanding of invertebrate nervous systems, reproductive biology, and other critical features. The text reviews the systematics, natural history, anatomy, development, and fossil records of all major animal groups, integrating seminal historical works with cutting-edge research in evolutionary developmental biology, genomics, and advanced imaging techniques. This synthetic treatment covers all animal phyla and discusses their interrelationships through an integrative approach to systematics, anatomy, paleontology, and genomics. Richly illustrated with both black-and-white and color images, as well as numerous phylogenetic trees, this resource serves as an essential reference for biologists and anyone interested in invertebrates, making it an ideal textbook for courses in invertebrate biology.