Theoretical Morphology: The Concept and its Applications

Abstract

Two quite different conceptual areas are understood today under the umbrella term of theoretical morphology: (1) the mathematical simulation of form, and (2) the analysis of the possible spectra of form via hypothetical morphospace construction. The second concept follows from the first, but has quite different goals.

Quantitative evaluation and modeling of two-dimensional neovascular network complexity: the surface fractal dimension

“…The concept of spatial conformation has played a fundamental role in the study of biological macromolecules in chemistry (particularly biochemistry) since the early 1950s. However, it has only been introduced in the science of morphology as theoretical morphology , which studies extant organismal forms (complex structures of interdependent and subordinate elements whose relationships and properties are largely determined by their function in the whole) as a subset of the range of theoretically possible morphologies [32]. …”

“…As computer models are crucial for scientific procedures, and the modeling process itself represents the hypothetical-deductive approach in science [30-32], we developed a simple computer-aided model capable of generating an unlimited number of 2-D images of a simulated vascular network. The model was simplified by using a minimum amount of mathematical complexity and only two variables: the number of vessels and their pattern of distribution.…”

Evolution of Lightweight Structures

“…Morphospaces are often divided into two kinds, those whose axes are parameters of a shape-generating function, called generative or theoretical morphospaces, and those whose axes are measurements of organisms, called empirical morphospaces (McGhee 1999). Theoretical morphospaces generally have only a few axes and thus a small number of dimensions that is easy to visualize; the first and bestknown example is classic morphospace of coiled shells.…”

“…Theoretical morphospaces generally have only a few axes and thus a small number of dimensions that is easy to visualize; the first and bestknown example is classic morphospace of coiled shells. Because of this, empirical morphospaces have been described as having axes that are data-dependent or unstable, since different measurements of the same morphology will result in different ordinated axes (McGhee 1999). Because of this, empirical morphospaces have been described as having axes that are data-dependent or unstable, since different measurements of the same morphology will result in different ordinated axes (McGhee 1999).…”

Ontogenic tracks and evolutionary vestiges in morphospace

“…These parameters are theoretical (McGhee, 1991). Each describes a rate of change of a particular geometric aspect of form from one whorl to the next, so a point in this morphospace represents a shell growing at a constant rate.…”