The Evolutionary Radiation of the Diplograptacea (Graptoloidea)

笔石是古生代时期漂浮在世界海洋中的海洋无脊椎动物。它们的扁平遗存在该时代的灰色页岩中很常见，是重要的地层年龄标志。查尔斯·米切尔博士建议收集和研究在石灰石中保存的未扁平的笔石标本。这些藏品将揭示个体如何成长和发芽形成殖民地的复杂性。米切尔博士将使用基于计算机的图像分析系统对形态学和生长进行定量研究。这些分析将与进化关系的枝状分析相结合，从而对这一重要化石群的早期进化有一个更清晰的认识。这项提议的研究代表了一位年轻研究者对一个重要化石群进行的雄心勃勃的、非常现代的研究。该项目将有助于建立形态计量学研究与系统发育分析相结合的程序，并有可能对一般殖民地群体的研究产生深远的影响。

Graptolites were marine colonial invertebrates that floated in the world's oceans during Paleozoic time. Their flattened remains are common in grey shales of this age, and they are important stratigraphic age indicators. Dr. Charles Mitchell proposes to collect and study graptolites that are preserved as unflattened specimens in limestones. These collections will reveal the intricacies of how the individuals grew and budded to form colonies. Dr. Mitchell will use a computer-based image analysis system in a quantitative study of morphology and growth. These analyses will be combined with a cladistic analysis of evolutionary relationships, resulting in a clearer picture of the early evolution of this important fossil group. The proposed research represents an ambitious and very modern study of an important fossil group by a young investigator. The project will help to establish procedures for combining morphometric studies with phylogenetic analysis, and it has potential for far-reaching impact on the study of colonial groups in general.