The vertebrate head is the most complex part of the animal body and its diversity in nature
reflects a variety of life styles feeding modes and ecological adaptations. This book will
take you on a journey to discover the origin and diversification of the head which evolved
from a seemingly headless chordate ancestor. Despite their structural diversity heads develop
in a highly conserved fashion in embryos. Major sensory organs like the eyes ears nose and
brain develop in close association with surrounding tissues such as bones cartilages muscles
nerves and blood vessels. Ultimately this integrated unit of tissues gives rise to the
complex functionality of the musculoskeletal system as a result of sensory and neural feedback
most notably in the use of the vertebrate jaws a major vertebrate innovation only lacking in
hagfishes and lampreys. The cranium subsequently further diversified during the major
transition from fishes living in an aquatic environment to tetrapods living mostly on land. In
this book experts will join forces to integrate for the first time state-of-the-art
knowledge on the anatomy development function diversity and evolution of the head and jaws
and their muscles within all major groups of extant vertebrates. Considerations about and
comparisons with fossil taxa including emblematic groups such as the dinosaurs are also
provided in this landmark book which will be a leading reference for many years to come.
