Understanding the Tree of Life

by Kevin Omland

Overview

Challenge outdated views of evolution and embrace a clearer understanding of life's incredible diversity with this enlightening exploration of evolutionary trees. Far from being a linear ladder of progress, evolution is a vast, branching tree where all species-humans included-are evolutionary cousins, not ancestors or descendants. Every organism alive today shares the same 3.5 billion years of evolutionary history, uniquely adapted to its own environment. This book takes readers on a journey through the tree of life, beginning with humanity's closest relatives and expanding outward to the most distantly related organisms. By unravelling the misconceptions perpetuated by news articles and traditional depictions of evolution, it offers a fresh perspective on life's interconnectedness. With engaging insights and vivid illustrations, this book fosters a deeper appreciation for the remarkable complexity and diversity of life on Earth, making it an essential read for anyone curious about our evolutionary story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781009207270
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	09/18/2025
Series:	Understanding Life
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

Kevin Omland is Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, specializing in avian evolution, behavior, and conservation. His research focuses on using phylogenies to explore the evolution of colour and song in birds, with particular interest in female song in New World orioles and the conservation of the endangered Bahama Oriole. Passionate about teaching, he emphasizes biodiversity, evolutionary trees, and understanding humanity's place in the tree of life. Kevin is an experienced author and has published over 90 peer-reviewed journal articles and contributed two book chapters on phylogeny and evolutionary biology.

Table of Contents

Foreword Kostas Kampourakis; Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction to the tree of life – Drawing trees and why there is no trunk; 2. Human origins – We are African…mostly; 3. Primates – Our closest living cousins; 4. Which mammals are the most primitive – None of us; 5. Birds are reptiles, Birds are theropod dinosaurs; 6. The Crawl onto land – Tetrapod evolution and the gain and loss of limbs; 7. Which fishes are 'primitive'? Do fish even exist?; 8. Animal evolution – Sponges and comb jellies are our cousins; 9. Plants, animals, fungi and 'protists' – We are eukaryotes; 10. Archaea then bacteria are our most distant cousins; Concluding remarks; Summary of common misunderstandings; References and further reading; Figure credits; Index.