1 IntroductionThe Phylum Chordata: The Big FourThe Craniate Body: General PlanCraniate CharacteristicsVertebrate CharacteristicsStructures Common to CraniatesOther Vertebrate Characteristics2 Concepts, Premises, and PioneersPattern and ProcessAdaptationSpeciationEvolutionary ConvergenceDevelopmentMetamorphosis and HeterochronySystematics and TaxonomyOrganic Evolution and Evolutionary SelectionAnatomy From Galen to DarwinWords to Ponder3 Protochordates and the Origin of CraniatesProtochordatesThe Origin of CraniatesThe Ammocoete: A Vertebrate LarvaHeterochrony and the Relationship Between Amphioxus and Vertebrates4 Parade of the Craniates in Time and TaxaCraniate TaxaAgnathaGnathostomes: PlacodermsChondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fishes)Acanthodians and Osteichthyans (Spiny Fishes and Bony Fishes)Actinopterygii (Ray-Finned Fishes)Sarcopterygii (Lobe-Finned Fishes)AmphibiaAmniotes (Reptiles and Synapsids)Reptilia (Sauropsida)SynapsidsVariation Among Individuals5 Early Craniate MorphogenesisCraniate EggsEarly Development of Representative ChordatesFate of the EctodermFate of the EndodermFate of the MesodermSignificance of the Germ LayersExtraembryonic Membranes6 IntegumentPreview: Skin of the EftThe EpidermisThe DermisThe Integument From Fishes to MammalsSome Roles of the Integument7 Mineralized Tissues: An Introduction to the SkeletonBoneCartilageSkeletal RemodelingTendons, Ligaments, and JointsMineralized Tissues and the InvertebratesRegional Components of the SkeletonHeterotopic Bones8 Vertebrae, Ribs, and SternaVertebral ColumnRibsTetrapod Sternum9 Skull and Visceral SkeletonNeurocraniumGeneralized DermatocramiumNeurocranial-Dermatocranial Complex of Bony FishesNeurocranial-Dermatocranial Complex of Modern TetrapodsVisceral SkeletonPerspective10 Girdles, Fins, Limbs, and LocomotionPectoral GirdlesPelvic GirdlesFinsTetrapod Limbs11 MusclesMuscle Tissues and Major Categories of MusclesIntroduction to Skeletal MusclesAxial MusclesAppendicular MusclesSomitomeric nad Somitic Muscles of the HeadIntegumentary MusclesElectric Organs12 Digestive SystemProcuring FoodThe Digestive Tract: An OverviewMouth and Oral CavityPharynxMorphology of the Gut WallEsophagusStomachIntestineLiver and GallbladderExocrine PancreasCloaca13 Respiratory SystemPrinciples of DiffusionGillsNares and Nasal CanalsSwim Bladders and the Origin of LungsLungs and Their Ducts14 Circulatory SystemDevelopmentBloodThe Heart and Its EvolutionArterial Channels and Their ModificationsVenous Channels and Their ModificationsCirculation in the Mammalian Fetus, and Changes at BirthSystematic Summary of Respiration and CirculationLymphatic System15 Urogential SystemKidneys and Their DuctsUrinary BladdersGenital OrgansCloaca16 Nervous SystemNeuronGrowth and Differentiation of the Nervous SystemNeuroglia and NeurilemmaSpinal CordSpinal NervesBrainCranial NervesAutonomic Nervous SystemSegmentation of the Craniate Head17 Sense OrgansSpecial Somatic ReceptorsSpecial ChemoreceptorsGeneral Somatic ReceptorsGeneral Visceral Receptors18 Endocrine OrgansEndocrine Role of the Nervous SystemEndocrine Organs Derived From EctodermEndocrine Organs Derived from MesodermEndocrine Organs Derived from EndodermHormonal Control of Biological RhythmsAppendixGlossaryIndex