Constructional Morphology and Evolution

1. Bioconstruction: Morphogenesis

   1. Self-Organizing Mechanisms in Morphogenesis and Evolution

      • Adolf Seilacher

      Pages 251-271

   2. Genetic and Molecular Analysis of Pattern Formation Processes in Drosophila

      • Diethard Tautz

      Pages 273-282

   3. Design Elements Employed in the Construction of Animal Skeletons

      • R. D. K. Thomas, W.-E. Reif

      Pages 283-294

   4. A Theoretical Morphological Approach to Tooth Replacement in Lower Vertebrates

      • David B. Weishampel

      Pages 295-310

2. Bioconstruction: Evolution

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 311-311

      PDF

   2. Evolution of Biological Constructions: Concessions, Limitations, and Pathways

      • P. Dullemeijer

      Pages 313-329

   3. Constructional and Ecological Prerequisites for the Evolution of Homeothermy

      • Hans-Rainer Duncker

      Pages 331-357

   4. The Mechanical Constraints in Mollusc Constructions — the Function of the Shell, the Musculature, and the Connective Tissue

      • Karl Edlinger

      Pages 359-374

   5. Morphogenetic Versus Environmental Cues for Adaptive Radiations

      • P. W. Skelton

      Pages 375-388

   6. The Sequence of Body Plans and Locomotory Systems During the Precambrian-Cambrian Transition

      • James W. Valentine

      Pages 389-397

3. Back Matter

   Pages 399-409

   PDF

Constructional morphology explains features of organisms from a constructional and functional point of view. By means of physical analysis it explains the operational aspects of organic structures - how they can perform the activities organisms are expected to fulfil in order to survive in their environment. Constructional morphology also explains options and constraints during the evolution determined by internal constructional needs, ontogenetic demands, inherited organizational preconditions and environmental clues.

• Funktionsmorphologie
• biomechanics
• biomechanik
• evolution
• morphology
• ontogenese
• ontogeny

• Institut für Geowissenschaften, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Germany

  Norbert Schmidt-Kittler

• Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut, J. W. Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt a. M., Germany

  Klaus Vogel

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