Understanding the Evolution of Ontogenies Through Growth Trajectory Analysis

本研究的主要目的是发展数学 描述增长模式的模型， 不同生长模式的比较方法 动物的种类。 长期以来，人们一直认为， 增长在产生变化方面起着重要作用， 动物的进化。 一个主要的理论是， 增长时间或增长速度的变化会产生深远的影响， 改变动物的外貌。 研究人员建议， to mathematically数学model模型changes变化in the timing定时of growth生长. 这将 使用现代动物的三维数据， 一个结构如何随时间变化的现实表现。 利用他们开发的数学模型， 生物体结构的三维数据， 研究人员将预测它的形态， 增长方式发生了一定的变化。 这些方法可以 可以用来测试现代动物的结构 是从更原始的形式中产生的。

The primary objective of this research is to develop mathematical models that describe growth patterns and to develop alternate methods for the comparison of growth patterns between different species of animals. It has long been thought that the process of growth plays an important role in producing the changes in appearance of animals through evolution. One major theory is that changes in either the timing or rate of growth can produce profound changes in the appearance of an animal. The investigators propose to mathematically model changes in the timing of growth. This will be done using three-dimensional data from modern animals, providing a realistic representation of how structure changes through time. Using the mathematical models that they develop and three-dimensional data on the structure of living forms, the researchers will predict what that form would look like if it's growth pattern was changed in a prescribed way. These methods can be used to test ideas about how the structure of modern animals emerged from more primitive forms.