This text presents both the vertebraic structure and its evolutionary development and significance, allowing students to learn why a structure is the way it is, as well as what it is. There is an integration of structure and anatomy, emphasising the comparative nature of anatomy, and showing the evolution of different structures. There are 16 full-colour pages as well as numerous illustrations showing anatomical detail, especially at the cellular level. The coverage of cladistics is completely new to this edition.