Re: Fibbonacci and other mathematical patterns in shells

From: Josh Bembenek (jbembe@hotmail.com)
Date: Tue Aug 12 2003 - 15:30:35 EDT

  • Next message: Sarah Berel-Harrop: "Re: Fibbonacci and other mathematical patterns in shells"

    David-

    Doesn't it seem easier to make the claim that shell shapes were derived
    without intelligent intervention if the patterns are readily identifiable as
    essential to organismal viability rather than simply aesthetics or emergent
    beauty?

    Josh

    >From: "bivalve" <bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com>
    >Reply-To: <bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com>
    >To: <asa@calvin.edu>
    >Subject: Fibbonacci and other mathematical patterns in shells
    >Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2003 14:36:25 -0400
    >
    >Some references on shell shapes, which have a lot of interesting
    >mathematical properties despite being formed without intelligent
    >intervention:
    >
    >Raup, D. M. 1962. Computer modeling as an aid in describing form in
    >gastropod snails. Science 138: 150 - 152.
    >Raup, D. M. 1966. Geometric analysis of shell coiling: General problems. J.
    >Paleontol. 40: 1178 - 1190.
    >
    >http://www.iit.edu/~krawczyk/shell01/kj01.pdf
    >
    >http://www.mun.ca/biology/scarr/Raup_model.htm
    >
    >http://members.aol.com/macops/Raup.html
    >
    >Perhaps even more challenging on this general theme is the presence of
    >complex patters with no apparent function at all. Apart from a general
    >function as camouflage (including the benefits of confusing a predator by
    >having lots of different patterns), the details of shell color seem to have
    >no particular purpose, yet they often have beautiful and complex forms.
    >The Algorithmic Beauty of Sea Shells by H. Meinhardt characterizes many of
    >the patterns mathematically.
    >
    >
    > Dr. David Campbell
    > Old Seashells
    > University of Alabama
    > Biodiversity & Systematics
    > Dept. Biological Sciences
    > Box 870345
    > Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0345 USA
    > bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com
    >
    >That is Uncle Joe, taken in the masonic regalia of a Grand Exalted
    >Periwinkle of the Mystic Order of Whelks-P.G. Wodehouse, Romance at
    >Droitgate Spa

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