Concentrating on the taxonomic groups that are of high interest to palaeontologists, this survey of the field also includes substantial material on recent invertebrates as well as fossils. Attention is paid to all behavioural, historic-phylogenetic and environmental factors that affect form, function and evolution.
Partial table of contents: IDEAS, METHODS AND TOOLS. Introduction to Functional Morphology (E. Savazzi). Comparative Issues: Homology, Homoplasy and Evolution in Functional Adaptation (A. Minelli). The Paradigm Method (C. Paul). Invertebrate Structural Colours (A. Parker). Conodonts: Functional Analysis of Disarticulated Skeletal Structures (M. Purnell). MOLLUSCA. Terrestrial Gastropods (C. Paul). Anti-Predator Defences of Shelled Gastropods (A. Kohn). Life Habits of Ammonoids (G. Westermann C. Tsujita). Scaphopoda (E. Yochelson). BRACHIOPODA. Function of External Skeletal Characteristics of Articulate Brachiopods (R. Alexander). Function of Shell Microstructure and Internal Morphology of Articulate Brachiopods (R. Alexander). The Theoretical Enigma of Non-Biconvex Brachiopod Shell Form (G. McGhee). Morphological Consequences of Mass Extinction in Brachiopods: A Theoretical Perspective (G. McGhee). ARTHROPODA. Kazacharthra (K. McKenzie P. Chen). Ostracods (K. McKenzie, et al.). A Few Case Histories of Cirripeds (E. Savazzi). The Trilobite Exoskeleton (R. Fortey R. Owens). OTHER PHYLA. Echinoderms and Calcichordates (S. Donovan). Serpulid Polychaetes (E. Savazzi). Fossil Colonial Corals: Colony Type and Growth Form (G. Young). Fossil Colonial Corals: Growth Patterns and Coral-Substrate Relationships (G. Young). Index.