William A. Gosline (1915–2002)

This work was written by William A. Gosline (1915–2002) and published in 1973. It offers a technical introduction to the teleosts, with a focus on functional morphology and classification. The morphological chapters focus on locomotion (Ch. 2), feeding and respiration (Ch. 3) and one on sense organs, the brain, and cranium (Ch. 4). These are illustrated with line drawings. The other half of the book explores principles of classification (Ch. 5), followed by successive chapters on "lower", "intermediate", and "higher" teleost groups (Ch. 6-8), a hierarchical set of designations that owe much to the archaic Scala Naturae. The classification is somewhat dated, although most of the major orders remain valid. I used this book when I taught vertebrate zoology back in graduate school. Overall, this work has been superseded by works more comprehensive with excellent illustrations.… (mehr)