Vertebrate Paleontology

  1. Vertebrate Anatomy and Systematics
    1. Fundamental Vertebrate Characteristics
      1. Chordate Features
        1. Notochord
          1. Dorsal Hollow Nerve Cord
            1. Pharyngeal Slits
              1. Post-anal Tail
              2. Vertebrate Innovations
                1. Vertebral Column
                  1. Cranium and Brain
                    1. Neural Crest Derivatives
                      1. Paired Sensory Organs
                      2. Body Plan Organization
                        1. Segmentation Patterns
                          1. Regionalization
                            1. Bilateral Symmetry
                              1. Cephalization
                            2. Skeletal System Anatomy
                              1. Axial Skeleton
                                1. Vertebral Column Structure
                                  1. Vertebral Types
                                    1. Regional Specialization
                                      1. Intervertebral Joints
                                      2. Rib Cage
                                        1. Rib Types and Attachment
                                          1. Sternum Development
                                          2. Skull Architecture
                                            1. Neurocranium
                                              1. Splanchnocranium
                                                1. Dermatocranium
                                              2. Appendicular Skeleton
                                                1. Pectoral Girdle
                                                  1. Shoulder Blade Elements
                                                    1. Clavicular Elements
                                                      1. Muscle Attachment Sites
                                                      2. Pelvic Girdle
                                                        1. Hip Bone Components
                                                          1. Sacral Connections
                                                            1. Sexual Dimorphism
                                                            2. Limb Structure
                                                              1. Stylopod Elements
                                                                1. Zeugopod Elements
                                                                  1. Autopod Elements
                                                                    1. Joint Morphology
                                                                  2. Specialized Structures
                                                                    1. Fin Rays and Supports
                                                                      1. Shell and Carapace Elements
                                                                        1. Antlers and Horns
                                                                          1. Specialized Vertebrae
                                                                        2. Dental Anatomy and Function
                                                                          1. Tooth Morphology
                                                                            1. Crown Structure
                                                                              1. Root Systems
                                                                                1. Enamel Patterns
                                                                                2. Tooth Types
                                                                                  1. Incisors
                                                                                    1. Canines
                                                                                      1. Premolars
                                                                                        1. Molars
                                                                                        2. Dental Formulas
                                                                                          1. Tooth Replacement Patterns
                                                                                            1. Polyphyodont Dentition
                                                                                              1. Diphyodont Dentition
                                                                                                1. Monophyodont Dentition
                                                                                                2. Functional Morphology
                                                                                                  1. Cutting Adaptations
                                                                                                    1. Grinding Adaptations
                                                                                                      1. Piercing Adaptations
                                                                                                        1. Filter-feeding Adaptations
                                                                                                      2. Taxonomic Principles
                                                                                                        1. Linnaean Classification
                                                                                                          1. Hierarchical Categories
                                                                                                            1. Binomial Nomenclature
                                                                                                              1. Type Specimens
                                                                                                                1. Priority Rules
                                                                                                                2. Species Concepts
                                                                                                                  1. Morphological Species
                                                                                                                    1. Biological Species
                                                                                                                      1. Chronospecies
                                                                                                                        1. Phylogenetic Species
                                                                                                                        2. Nomenclatural Codes
                                                                                                                          1. International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
                                                                                                                            1. Taxonomic Authorities
                                                                                                                              1. Synonymy and Homonymy
                                                                                                                            2. Phylogenetic Systematics
                                                                                                                              1. Cladistic Methodology
                                                                                                                                1. Character Analysis
                                                                                                                                  1. Character States
                                                                                                                                    1. Character Polarization
                                                                                                                                      1. Outgroup Comparison
                                                                                                                                      2. Tree Construction
                                                                                                                                        1. Parsimony Methods
                                                                                                                                          1. Maximum Likelihood
                                                                                                                                            1. Bayesian Inference
                                                                                                                                              1. Distance Methods
                                                                                                                                              2. Character Types
                                                                                                                                                1. Synapomorphies
                                                                                                                                                  1. Autapomorphies
                                                                                                                                                    1. Symplesiomorphies
                                                                                                                                                      1. Homoplasies
                                                                                                                                                      2. Group Classifications
                                                                                                                                                        1. Monophyletic Groups
                                                                                                                                                          1. Paraphyletic Groups
                                                                                                                                                            1. Polyphyletic Groups
                                                                                                                                                            2. Tree Interpretation
                                                                                                                                                              1. Node Support Values
                                                                                                                                                                1. Branch Lengths
                                                                                                                                                                  1. Sister Group Relationships
                                                                                                                                                                    1. Consensus Trees

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                                                                                                                                                                3. Field and Laboratory Methods

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                                                                                                                                                                5. Early Vertebrate Evolution