The growing success of molecular methods has challenged traditional views of animal evolution
and a large number of alternative hypotheses are hotly debated today. For the deep metazoan
phylogeny project data sets of hitherto unmatched quality and quantity were compiled and
analysed with innovative bioinformatics tools. The book begins at the base of the tree of life
to discuss the origin of animals and early branches of the phylogenetic tree. The following
section presents special data sets gained from mitochondrial genomes and from morphology with
a focus on nervous systems. The final section is dedicated to theoretical aspects of data
analysis and new bioinformatics tools. The book closes with a unique general discussion of all
hypotheses contained in previous chapters. This work provides the most comprehensive overview
available of the state of the art in this exciting field of evolutionary research.
