SELECTED VERTEBRATES

Here we depart from the phylum-only introductions presented throughout this book and give vertebrates (a subdivision of the chordates) a similar, if brief, mention. This departure is due to custom and humankind’s penchant for self-importance. We fancy ourselves as intelligent and thus the “most advanced” vertebrate.
Fishes and reptiles are included in this volume, but marine birds and mammals are not, because many excellent references may be found for them. No marine amphibians exist.
The section on fish is offered primarily as an updated augmentation of Coastal Fishes of the Pacific Northwest, the second reference listed below. We have included photographs that illustrate duplicated species differently, by featuring colour variations or different poses. A few additional fish species, found and photographed during this book’s preparation, are included.