By applying the tools of modern neuroanatomy to brain structure and function in various species, researchers have discovered that numerous cell groups and interconnections, known to be present in mammals, also exist in nonmammalian vertebrates. This book reveals how the brains of various vertebrates are astoundingly similar in some ways, while in others they are quite different. The authors examine how the form of the brain is modified and magnified to perfect and capitalize on a specific function, making any particular animal a "specialist" in its area. They also clarify the forms and functions of the nervous system that have allowed vertebrates to adapt to almost every aspect of the earth's environment.
Comparative Vertebrate Neuroanatomy: Evolution and Adaptation is a long-awaited text that creates numerous educational possibilities...
"This work is virtually unique in the field and would definitely fill a void... an incredible tour de force..." —Thomas E. Finger University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
"This work is a comprehensive, readable review and synthesis of the latest concepts and knowledge about the diverse outcomes of vertebrate evolution." —Wally Welker University of Wisconsin-Madison
"There is no other current publication remotely like it, in scope and certainly in expertise. It will be the only contemporary text in brain evolution, and in comparative neurology...The breadth of coverage is remarkable..." —John I. Johnson Michigan State University
"We have been waiting for a book like this for many years." —Peter Ekstr?m Lund University
The authors, both recognized experts in the field, present their information in a clear, easy-to-follow format, presuming little prior knowledge of anatomy or biology beyond the college level. This conceptually detailed text is essential for undergraduate or graduate students in the neurosciences, preparing them for more specialized texts in neuroanatomy and brain evolution. It is also an ideal reference for physicians, an engaging synthesis of current knowledge of the form and function of the nervous system.
