Evolution of the Vertebrates
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Evolution of the Vertebrates, subtitled "A History of the Backboned Animals Through Time" is a basic paleontology textbook by Edwin H. Colbert, published by John Wiley & Sons.
The first and second editions (1955 and 1969) provide an overview of the entire range of vertebrate evolution, and are illustrated by the distinctive drawings of Lois Darling. The style of writing is very light and readabkle, and technical concepts kept to a minimum.
These editions predate the cladistic revolution and so contain a number of chapters and sections dedicated to paraphyletic taxa (Labyrinthodonts, Thecodonts, Condylarths, etc) which nevertheless constituted an imporatnt part of the understanding of the time.
The latest, fifth edition, was cowritten with Michael Morales and Eli C. Minkoff, and has been revised to incorporate recent discoveries and current developments.
[edit] Bibliography
- Edwin H. Colbert, (1969), Evolution of the Vertebrates, John Wiley & Sons (2nd ed.)
- Edwin H. Colbert, Michael Morales, Eli C. Minkoff, 2001 Colbert's Evolution of the Vertebrates: A History of the Backboned Animals Through Time, 5th Edition, Wiley, ISBN 0-471-38461-5
