Vertebrate Life, 10th Edition blends information about anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behavior to present vertebrates within an evolutionary context. Engaging and readable, the 10th edition features full color throughout with completely new photographs and line art. Important advances in vertebrate biology are highlighted, including the increasing influence of molecular phylogenies, insights provided by evo-devo, and our growing appreciation of the significance of developmental plasticity and epigenetics. Taxon-specific conservation issues are discussed in each chapter that treats extant forms.

Part I: Vertebrate Diversity
1. Evolution, Classification and Diversity of Vertebrates
2. Characteristics that Distinguish Vertebrates
3. Jawless Vertebrates and the Origin of Jawed Vertebrates

Part II: Non-Amniote Vertebrates: Fishes and Amphibians
4. Living in Water
5 Geography and Ecology of the Paleozoic Era
6. Radiation and Diversity of Chondrichthyes
7. Extant Bony Fishes
8. Radiation and Diversity of Osteichthyes
9. Extant Osteichthyans
10. Origin and Radiation of Tetrapods
11. Extant Amphibians: Salamanders, Frogs, and Caecilians

Part III: Amniote Vertebrates: Reptiles and Mammals
12. Living on Land
13. Geography and Ecology of the Mesozoic Era
14. Synapsids and Sauropsids: Two Approaches to Terrestrial Life

Part IV: Sauropsida: The Reptiles
15. Ectothermy: A Low-Energy Approach to Life
16. Turtles
17. Lepidosaurs: Tuatara, Lizards, and Snakes
18. Crocodylians
19. Mesozoic Diapsids: Dinosaurs and Others
20. Endothermy: A High-Energy Approach to Life
21. The Origin and Radiation of Birds
22. Extant Birds

Part V: Synapsida: The Mammals
23. Geography and Ecology of the Cenozoic Era
24. Synapsida and the Evolution of Mammals
25. Extant Mammals
26. Primate Evolution and the Emergence of Humans by Sergi López-Torres