The theme of this book is the invasion of land by animal lines which
originated in aquatic environments. It 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. The author takes an
ecophysiological approach, and by using representative examples,
provides a novel background against which both the terrestrial
adaptations of individual species and the make up and function of
terrestrial ecosystems can be considered. Dr Little is the author of the
highly acclaimed book The Colonisation of Land, which discusses the
phylogeny and physiology of terrestrial and semi-terrestrial animals.
The Terrestrial Invasion takes a fresh approach and provides an
excellent introduction to the origins of land animals suitable for
ecologists, physiologists and evolutionary biologists.