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Developmental and Structural Section

Gielis, Johan [1].

Fusion and optimization in plants: a Superformular perspective.

The Superformula has been presented before, not only as a function to define shapes, but also as a generic geometrical transformation function. It can indeed be used as a distance function, which arguably allows to define any shape as an implicit surface or object. Current work shows how the formula may describe evolutionary and developmental patterns in plants, through the analysis of biophysical pathways. In this presentation I will focus on 1) the decoupling of developable and constraining functions (the distance function), 2) the development of algebraic systems, consisting of (weigthed) addition and multiplication, allowing to make predictions from the model directly, and 3) aspects of bio-mathematical optimization. The power of this model will be demonstrated by describing the fusion of various forms of leaves. Fusion of organs is considered to be a key innovation in the evolutionary development of flowers. The above mentioned principles will be illustrated using Asclepiad flowers as model system.


1 - geniaal bvba, nottebohmstraat 8, antwerpen, B-2018, belgium

Keywords:
development
Floral morphology
leaf architecture.

Presentation Type: Paper
Session: 1-11
Location: Alpine A (Snowbird Center)
Date: Monday, August 2nd, 2004
Time: 11:00 AM
Abstract ID:264


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