On growth and form in the "computer era": from geometric to biological morphometrics

摘要: Almost 100 years after the publication of Thompson's seminal book "On growth and form", study animal morphology is becoming again central to biology. This also thanks development powerful computerized quantitative methods for statistical shape analysis, collectively known as geometric morphometrics (GM). GM was announced a revolution just two decades ago. The "revolution" now standard tool in numerical analyses phenotypic variation mammals other organisms. Hundreds studies are published every year that take advantage (e.g., more than 800 entries Google Scholar only 2012). We celebrate 20 t anniversary "revolution morphometrics" (Rohlf Marcus, 1993, p. 129) with "Yellow Book", special issue Hystrix dedicated Evolutionary Morphometrics Virtual Morphology. A series 14 papers by leading morphometricians summarizes main achievements (surface methods, comparative trajectories quantification, modularity/integration, use R morphometrics), describes its most innovative developments (ecometrics, eigensound biomechanical GM), discusses common misunderstandings well extablished (visualization differences). Besides celebrating success analysis biology, this aims at introducing readers unfamiliar or intimidated strong background. why, Editors, we asked all contributors provide concise accurate but clear simple descriptions techniques applications. hope succeeded aim, wish Yellow Book may help tighten connection between biologists statisticians truly "biological" GM. Download complete Book" on "Virtual Morphology new millenium".