Major Features of Vertebrate Evolution

The textbook that is before you represents a comprehensive effort to describe major events in the evolution of vertebrates throughout the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic eras. Wherever possible, this textbook endeavours to present an informative discussion regarding events that led to the evolution of the known diversity of vertebrate life. Great care was taken into evaluating the content of this text and a number of colleagues were instrumental in its completion. As the senior author of this textbook, I would like to thank my colleague and friend Dr. Robert R. Reisz (Distinguished Professor at the University of Toronto and a world expert in the Palaeozoic), whom with I have shared a passion for the study of Paleontology and whose contributions as my junior author I am deeply indebted. His support in the development of this textbook, as well as the many informed discussions that he and I have shared, have made the completion of this textbook possible. While I take full responsibility for any errors that might have slipped into this final draft, I am confident that with professor Reisz's input and helpful guidance, any error that might have slipped through will be of minimal consequence. In addition to my co-author (Dr. Reisz), I also solicited support from two colleagues who have significantly contributed to enhancing the quality of the textbook. Dr. Alison Murray and Dr. Corwin Sullivan of the University of Alberta. Dr. Murray helped with editing of the fish sections of this textbook, notably with the Mesozoic chapters and Dr. Sullivan served as the textbook's comprehensive editor, painstakingly working through the more than 300,000 words and over 500 figures that inform the book's content. His dedication and commitment to ensuring the accuracy of the information in the textbook were an invaluable asset to the completion of this textbook.