GO:0001823

The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the mesonephros over time, from its formation to the mature structure. In mammals, the mesonephros is the second of the three embryonic kidneys to be established and exists only transiently. In lower vertebrates such as fish and amphibia, the mesonephros will form the mature kidney. [GOC:dph, ISBN:0124020607, ISBN:0721662544, PMID:10535314]