Re: Fibbonacci and other mathematical patterns in shells

From: Sarah Berel-Harrop (sec@hal-pc.org)
Date: Tue Aug 12 2003 - 15:59:30 EDT

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

    On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 19:30:35 +0000
      "Josh Bembenek" <jbembe@hotmail.com> wrote:
    >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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