Evolution of the Vertebrate Ear: Evidence from the Fossil Record

Preface.- Vertebrate Diversity in a Sensory System: The Fossil Record of Otic Evolution.- Actinopterygians: The Ray-Finned Fishes-an Explosion of Diversity.- Sarcopterygians: From Lobe-Finned Fishes to the Tetrapod Stem Group.- Early Tetrapods: Experimenting with Form and Function.- Nonmammalian Synapsids: The Beginning of the Mammal Line.- Evolution of the Middle and Inner Ears of Mammaliaforms: The Approach to Mammals.- Evolution of the Ear of Mammals: From Monotremes to Humans.- Basal Reptilians, Marine Diapsids, and Turtles: The Flowering of Reptile Diversity.- The Lepidosaurian Ear: Variations on a Theme.- Archosaurs and their Kin: The Ruling Reptiles.- Amphibia: A Case of Diversity and Convergence in the Auditory Region.