Constructional Morphology and Evolution [Paperback]

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.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.Introduction: A New Look at Morphology.- I Concepts of Constructional Morphology.- Explanations in Konstruktionsmorphologie and Evolutionary Morphology.- Functional Aspects of Morphology.- An Outline of Morpho-Constructional Analysis.- Concepts of Constructional Morphology.- II Bioconstruction: Operational Interconnections, Behavior, Environment.- Dynamic Similarity in the Analysis of Animal Movement.- Cytomechanics and Biochemistry.- Constructional Principles and the Quasi-Experimental Approach to Organisms.- Biomechanics in the Enamel of Mammalian Teeth.- The Functional Morphology of Gastropod Apertures.- Behavior plus Pathology  the Origin of Adaptations?.- The Function of Labyrinthodont Teeth: Big Teeth in Small Jaws.- Complexity and a Coupled System: Flight, Echolocation and Evolution in Bats.- Biomechanical Aspects of the Wing Joints in Flies, Especially in Calliphora erythrocephala.- III Bioconstruction: Morphogenesis.- Ontogenel3*