Theoretical Morphology: The Concept and Its ApplicationsTheoretical morphology--which seeks to sketch the range of forms that biological entities could take, with the ultimate goal of discovering why certain forms exist but others do not--is among paleontology's most significant contributions to the understanding of evolution. Today, with the aid of computers in developing conceivable morphologies, the discipline has been able to advance into a remarkable tool for the study of evolution. Yet despite these advances, the field remains largely untapped and ripe with research potential. In this volume, paleontologist George McGhee presents the first complete overview of the field, its advancements in recent years, and the challenges ahead. Theoretical Morphology provides readers with the background they need to launch their own research. McGhee describes the steps involved in defining the geometric parameters (theoretical morphospaces) for an organic form in order to generate a spectrum of other possible forms that have never actually appeared. He also addresses the simulation of actual processes of morphogenesis, with the goal of attaining a more nuanced comprehension of how evolutionary processes work. Theoretical Morphology takes readers through a variety of theoretical morphospaces including those for univalved, bivalved, discrete, and branching growth systems. With a glossary of terms and a comprehensive list of references on the subject, this is an excellent handbook for graduate students or professional scientists interested in employing these cutting-edge techniques in their own research. |
Contents
The Concept of the Theoretical Morphospace ΙΟ | 14 |
Theoretical Morphospaces | 34 |
Theoretical Morphospaces | 66 |
Theoretical Morphospaces | 112 |
Theoretical Morphospaces of Discrete | 141 |
Evolution and Theoretical | 182 |
An Example | 209 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Ackerly actual adaptive landscape adaptive peaks ammonites ammonoids angle anisometric growth aperture apical biconvex brachiopods bifurcation biological bivalve molluscs bivalved bivalved shell brachiopod shell brachiopods branching geometries bryozoan chamber chapter coiling axis colony form computer simulations curve dimensional dimensions echinoid empirical morphospace equation evolution evolutionary existent explore Fibonacci Fibonacci sequence foraminifera Fortey frequency distribution function gastropod shell geometric given in figure graptolite growth systems helicospiral hyperspace hypothetical Illert increment L-systems logarithmic spiral magnitude margin mathematical McGhee measurements molluscs morpho morphogen morphogenesis morphologic models morphometrics morphospace figure Niklas Okamoto organisms Paleobiology parameters patterns phology phospace Phylum plane planispiral plate plot produced radius ratio Raup Raup's region retical morphospace rotation Savazzi seen shell form shell morphology silicoflagellate skeleton species stipe stromatoporoid surface area thecal theoretical mor theoretical morpho theoretical morphology theoretical morphospace tion univalved values vector ventral valve Vermeij W-D-T morphospace whorl expansion rate whorl overlap z-axis zero