erioShell

A computer program designed to simulate variation in shell form

DESCRIPTION

CerioShell is a computer program that is designed to simulate variation for real and hypothetical shell forms (i.e., sizes and shapes). CerioShell can be used to analyse morphometric data and return 8 taxon-specific parameter values. These can be input into a mathematical model that is contained in CerioShell to depcit graphically an initial image. Four other, algebraically independent parameters (O, T, H, V) are embedded within the mathematical model; these can be modified to perturb the initial image. In this manner, different forms can be 'evolved' virtually to test functional morphology, formal-, historical-, or constructional-constraint, evolutionary developmental, or morphological evolutionary hypotheses. Morphometric variables (e.g., height and width) can be obtained for these specimens in silico. The shell images also provide esthetic pleasure.

CerioShell was composed by J. R. Stone (1995. CerioShell: a computer program designed to simulate variation in shell form. Paleobiology 21:509-519).

IMPLEMENTATION

Instructions are contained in the file readme.txt that is included in the compressed files (please refer to the section DOWNLOAD below).

OUTPUT

Two specimens:

DOWNLOAD

To obtain additional information concerning CerioShell , please feel welcome to email