Functional Anatomy of the Vertebrates: An Evolutionary Perspective [Hardcover]

Karel Liem (Author), William Bemis (Author), Warren F. Walker (Author), Lance Grande (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0030223695 | ISBN-13: 978-0030223693 | Publication Date: December 18, 2000 | Edition: 3

This book introduces students to the groups of vertebrates and explores the anatomical evolution of vertebrates within the context of the functional interrelationships of organs and the changing environments to which vertebrates have adapted. The text contains all of the material taught in classic comparative anatomy courses, but integrates this material with current research in functional anatomy. This integration adds a new dimension to our understanding of structure and helps students understand the evolution of vertebrates.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 703 pages
• Publisher: Brooks Cole; 3 edition (December 18, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0030223695
• ISBN-13: 978-0030223693
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #56 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology
  • #67 in Books > Medical Books > Medicine > Surgery
  • #97 in Books > Medical Books > Basic Sciences > Anatomy

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and clear, July 13, 2007

By 

Curt Walker "walker868" (Ivins, UT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Functional Anatomy of the Vertebrates: An Evolutionary Perspective (Hardcover)

This book is well-organized and clearly written, and includes some truly fascinating revelations about the vertebrates, especially relating to biomechanics. It is, however, really too encyclopedic for undergraduates to read cover to cover. As a supplement to a lecture course, I find it excellent; if the lecturer expects students to learn most of the material from the text alone, they are in for a difficult time. The main difficulty is that the most important material is not necessarily emphasized in the text, so that the instructor using this text must be clear about what main points students need. As a reference for further study after class, and to look up things not understood the first time, this book is great. As a primary teaching tool with no outline or emphasis to guide study, there is simply far too much information for a one-semester undergraduate course.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Anatomy of a textbook, November 9, 2006

By 

Mike C - See all my reviews

This review is from: Functional Anatomy of the Vertebrates: An Evolutionary Perspective (Hardcover)

Students already familiar with vertebrate anatomy will probably find this a useful reference, however students who are learning about vertebrate anatomy for the first time will likely be a bit frustrated with the book. Often, long wordy paragraphs describe structures rather than having an emphasis on diagrams. Material and terminology is frequently introduced without stating function or relevance until later on. Diagrams are only in a few different colors and usually lack spatial depth, which I personally found difficult for understanding the 3 dimensional layout of many oddly shaped structures. There are no photographs making identification of real life structures a bit of a challenge. There is also the occasional mislabeled diagram, but those are likely being remedied in the next edition.

I'm a bit disappointed at the organization of this book and it's emphasis on descriptions via text, however it is useful once you gain a good understanding of the material. The text goes into a nice amount of detail and covers a lot of material. However, if I had a choice of textbooks to use form my anatomy course, I would likely look at something else.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Intensive Information, September 25, 2010

By 

LostinWyoming - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Functional Anatomy of the Vertebrates: An Evolutionary Perspective (Hardcover)

Very well written book that helps take the reader through the evolutionary history of vertebrates. Figures are no longer completely up to date with the latest research, but still a quality reference book. Be ready to be bogged down with details.