Limits in the evolution of biological form: a theoretical morphologic perspective

作者：McGhee George R Jr^*

来源：Interface Focus, 2015, 5(6): 20150034.

DOI：10.1098/rsfs.2015.0034

• evolutionary limits
• evolutionary constraints
• theoretical morphospaces
• Ammonoidea
• Brachiopoda
• Bryozoa

Limits in the evolution of biological form can be empirically demonstrated by using theoretical morphospace analyses, and actual analytic examples are given for univalved ammonoid shell form, bivalved brachiopod shell form and helical bryozoan colony form. Limits in the evolution of form in these animal groups can be shown to be due to functional and developmental constraints on possible evolutionary trajectories in morphospace. Future evolutionary-limit research is needed to analyse the possible existence of temporal constraint in the evolution of biological formon Earth, and in the search for the possible existence of functional alien life forms on Titan and Triton that are developmentally impossible for Earth life.

• 出版日期2015-12-6