This book brings together physiological and ecological evidence to show both the likely routes taken out of the sea by the aquatic ancestors of terrestrial animals, and the changes in structure and function associated with these routes.
Preface; Part I. Introduction: 1. Perspective; 2. Problems: terrestrial versus aquatic habitats; 3. The evidence; Part II. Routes on to Land: 4. The origins of terrestrial animals in relation to salt and water balance; 5. Muddy and sandy shores: interstitial fauna and the burrowers; 6. Saltmarshes and mangrove swamps as routes on to land; 7. Rocky and shingle shores as routes on to land; 8. The freshwater route to land; Part III. Life on Land: 9. Terrestrial adaptations; 10. Terrestrial ecosystems.