The Significance of Vertebrate Metamorphosis

Abstract

It is generally recognized that the anatomical metamorphosis of the vertebrates seems to recapitulate their evolutionary history. However, little attention has been paid to the biochemical changes which precede or accompany the anatomical changes. In the present paper, the author uses the biochemistry of vision as the point of departure for considering the parallel changes in biochemistry, anatomy, and ecology which are involved in vertebrate metamorphosis.