Biology of the Invertebrates
Jan A. PechenikMore than 98% of all known animal species are invertebrates, and that proportion is increasing with time as more species are described. Invertebrates are distributed among at least 30 phyla and a mind-boggling number of classes, subclasses, orders, and families. The degree of morphological and functional diversity found within some groups, even within single orders, can overwhelm the beginning student. The enormous size of the field and the great range of potential approaches to the subject make invertebrate biology challenging both to teach and to learn. In preparing the seventh edition of this book, I have endeavored to make the tasks of both teaching and learning easier, and even enjoyable, while nevertheless presenting the latest thinking in the field.