Dissertation Research: Consequences of Differential Shell and Tissue Growth for Shell Thickness, Form, and Structure

研究生保罗·肯普建议结合贝壳形态计量学、计算机建模和受控生长实验，研究腹足类组织和贝壳生长之间的关系。根据他发表的本科论文，肯普假设，身体组织生长速度的变化对蜗牛壳的厚度和卷曲几何形状都有深远的影响。在那项研究中，坎普发现了一个主要在食物供应方面不同的物种之间存在显著的外壳差异。他建议在不同的食物和基质中钙的水平上提高种群数量。该项目不仅对腹足类工作者的系统实践具有广泛的影响，而且对生物学和形态计量学研究的整合也具有广泛的意义。系统学家将对环境条件对那些通常用于区分物种的特征的直接影响获得新的见解。保罗·坎普是一个四肢瘫痪患者。该提案要求特别改装的基于微型计算机的图像分析系统。该奖项将支持一个有价值的论文研究项目，让肯普先生从事研究事业，并帮助设计和开发脊椎受伤科学家的研究设备。

Graduate student Paul Kemp proposes to study the relationship between tissue and shell growth in gastropods, using a combination of shell morphometrics, computer modelling and controlled growth experiments. Based on his published undergraduate thesis, Kemp hypothesizes that variations in the growth rate of body tissue has a profound effect on the both the thickness and coiling geometry of the snail's shell. In that study, Kemp found striking shell differences within a species that differed principally in food supply. He proposes to raise populations at varying levels of food and calcium in the substrate. The project has broad implications not only for systematic practices among gastropod workers, but for the integration of biological and morphometric studies. Systematists will gain new insight into the direct effects of environemntal conditions on those characteristics often used to distinguish species. Paul Kemp is a quadriplegic. The proposal requests a specially modified microcomputer-based image analysis system. This award will support a valuable dissertation research project, allow Mr. Kemp to pursue a career in research, and aid in the design and development of research equipment for spine-injured scientists.