Comparative vertebrate neuroanatomy : evolution and adaptation /

Every student of the brain should own this book. It combines modern evolutionary techniques with a wealth of comparative information; the result is a tour de force featuring, in the final chapter (part 6), reconstruction of the hypothetical nervous system of the ancestors of chordates and vertebrates. Butler and Hodos start with the basics of evolutionary theory, vertebrate phylogeny, and a critique of the theories of brain evolution. They move to structural details related to function and evolution of the spinal cord; hind-, mid-, and forebrain are meticulously described and integrated. Although the anatomical illustrations suffer from the want of scale bars and the occasional need for more three-dimensional representations, these limitations are overcome by the capabilities of the text. The bulk and complexity of the material requires attention and care by the reader. Students may initially be overwhelmed, but they should stay the course--their reward will come in the form of the most complete understanding of the structure and evolution of the vertebrate nervous system currently available, including a section on the mechanisms (eight of them) by which the vertebrate brain has evolved. Highly recommended for all academic and professional readers. J. H. Long Jr. Vassar College