{"product_id":"the-evolution-of-air-breathing-in-vertebrates-classic","title":"The Evolution of Air Breathing in Vertebrates - Classic","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The Evolution of Air Breathing in Vertebrates the reviewer finds a focused, scholarly treatment aimed at students and researchers of comparative zoology and evolutionary physiology. First published in 1981, the book delivers a functional and anatomical perspective on how vertebrates moved from water to air, using modern physiology of extant animals to reconstruct plausible evolutionary steps. The bottom line: this is a dense, evidence-driven work that rewards readers looking for a rigorous synthesis rather than a general-audience survey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e The opening summary of contemporary views on vertebrate evolution provides essential context for later chapters, helping readers situate later arguments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComparative physiology approach:\u003c\/strong\u003e The authors use physiology of living animals to infer evolutionary transitions, which makes the book valuable for understanding functional drivers of air breathing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnatomical and functional focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Detailed discussion of gill and lung structure links morphology to respiratory performance and evolutionary change.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGas exchange analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Examination of oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer in water and air clarifies the environmental constraints that favored air breathing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIntegration of acid-base regulation:\u003c\/strong\u003e The treatment of CO2 transfer and its coupling to ion and acid-base balance gives readers a biochemical dimension to respiratory evolution.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is best for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers in comparative physiology, evolutionary biology, and vertebrate anatomy who want a scholarly, functionally oriented synthesis of air-breathing evolution. It suits readers who appreciate detailed physiological argumentation and anatomical description rather than narrative natural history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose seeking a brief overview, introductory textbook, or richly illustrated field guide should look elsewhere; the volume assumes familiarity with physiological and anatomical concepts and is more of a specialist reference than a popular science read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eClear linkage of physiology and evolution, making functional hypotheses accessible to specialists.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eDetailed anatomical discussion of gills and lungs that supports comparative analyses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThoughtful treatment of gas exchange and acid-base regulation that expands beyond oxygen transport alone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSpecialist tone and depth may be challenging for casual readers or beginners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eFirst published in 1981, it may lack the most recent molecular or fossil data developed since then.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Evolution of Air Breathing in Vertebrates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDavid J. Randall, Warren W. Burggren, Anthony P. Farrell, M. Stephen Haswell\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFirst published\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1981\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eComparative zoology, physiology, evolutionary biology\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFunctional and anatomical analysis using extant physiology\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKey topics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGills, lungs, oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer, acid-base regulation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor specialists and advanced students interested in the functional roots of respiratory evolution, this book is a valuable, evidence-rich reference that ties anatomy to physiology and environment. It offers lasting conceptual frameworks and good historical perspective, representing strong value as a library or course resource for those who need depth rather than a contemporary literature review of the latest genetics or fossils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book suitable for undergraduates?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt suits advanced undergraduates with background in physiology or anatomy, but introductory students may find the specialist depth demanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it cover both gills and lungs?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; the book examines structure and function of gills and lungs and contrasts oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer in water and air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the content still relevant despite its publication date?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; the functional and anatomical analyses remain valuable, though readers should supplement with recent papers for molecular and fossil updates.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"David J. Randall, Warren W. Burggren, Anthony P. Farrell, M. Stephen Haswell","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48253473390811,"sku":"0521107156","price":45.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61oX7ml_o-S._SL1000.jpg?v=1770923102","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-evolution-of-air-breathing-in-vertebrates-classic","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}