: Several chapters explore how the influx of genomic data has allowed researchers to move beyond just anatomical characters to refine the "Animal Tree of Life".
: Rather than relying solely on genes, it emphasizes using the fossil record to date molecular trees and interpret the evolution of body plans. Animal Evolution. Genomes, Fossils, and Trees
: It contains specialized chapters on controversial topics, such as the evolution of the mouth and anus (the "questionable openings") by researchers like Andreas Hejnol and Mark Martindale . Accessing the Content : Several chapters explore how the influx of
The book is designed to address fundamental "big questions" about the origins and relationships of multicellular animals (metazoans). Key contributions include: Accessing the Content The book is designed to
Published in 2009 by Oxford University Press, it serves as a major synthesis of three traditionally separate fields: , molecular systematics , and developmental biology (evo-devo). Core Themes and Utility