The Cambrian Radiation and the origins of phyla has been the mystery of myster ies since Darwin first worried over its implications for his view of life. Integrating detailed discussions of each of the metazoan clades with evidence from paleontology, molecular phylogenetics, and comparative developmental biology, Jim Valentine delivers a thought-provok ing and innovative examination of one of the pivotal episodes in earth history. Beyond serving as the definitive history for our generation,

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... volume will also be the foundation for much future research." -Douglas H. Erwin, Curator, Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural History "James Valentine, one of the worlds foremost paleobiologists, has combined the most modern knowledge on metazoan anatomy, paleontology, evolutionary developmental biology, molecu lar systematics and evolutionary theory in his magnificent On the Origin of Phyla. No other text