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The Algorithmic Beauty of Sea Shells

  • Book
  • © 1998

Overview

Authors:
  1. Hans Meinhardt

    1. Max-Plank-Institut for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany

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  • A fascinating reconstruction of the processes forming the patterns on the shells of tropical sea snails.
  • The corresponding algorithms are described in detail.
  • An accompanying diskette gives all the algorithms for simulating the natural pattern formation and growth processes on a PC.

Part of the book series: The Virtual Laboratory (VIRTUAL LAB.)

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Table of contents (12 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xi
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  2. Shell patterns — a natural picture book to study dynamic systems and biological pattern formation

    • Hans Meinhardt
    Pages 1-18

  3. Pattern formation by local self-enhancement and long range inhibition

    • Hans Meinhardt
    Pages 19-40

  4. Oscillations and travelling waves

    • Hans Meinhardt
    Pages 41-52

  5. Superposition of stable and periodic patterns

    • Hans Meinhardt
    Pages 53-70

  6. Crossings, meshwork of oblique lines and staggered dots: the combined action of two antagonists

    • Hans Meinhardt
    Pages 71-90

  7. Branch initiation by global control

    • Hans Meinhardt
    Pages 91-102

  8. The big problem: two or more time-dependent patterns that cause interference

    • Hans Meinhardt
    Pages 103-126

  9. Triangles

    • Hans Meinhardt
    Pages 127-142

  10. Parallel lines with tongues

    • Hans Meinhardt
    Pages 143-162

  11. Shell models in three dimensions

    • Przemyslaw Prusinkiewicz, Deborah R. Fowler
    Pages 163-182

  12. The computer program

    • Hans Meinhardt
    Pages 183-196

  13. Appendix: Pattern formation in the development of higher organisms

    • Hans Meinhardt
    Pages 197-225

  14. Back Matter

    Pages 227-236
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Keywords

About this book

The pigment patterns on tropieal shells are of great beauty and diversity. They fas­ cinate by their mixture of regularity and irregularity. A partieular pattern seems to follow partieular mIes but these mIes allow variations. No two shells are identical. The motionless patterns appear to be static, and, indeed, they consist of calcified material. However, as will be shown in this book, the underlying mechanism that gene rates this beauty is eminently dynamic. It has much in common with other dynamie systems that generate patterns, such as a wind-sand system that forms large dunes, or rain and erosion that form complex ramified river systems. On other shells the underlying mechanism has much in common with waves such as those commonly observed in the spread of an epidemie. A mollusc can enlarge its shell only at the shell margin. In most cases, only at this margin are new elements of the pigmentation pattern added. Therefore, the shell pattern preserves arecord in time of a process that took place in a narrow zone at the growing edge. A certain point on the shell represents a certain moment in its history. Like a time machine one can go into the past or the future just by turning the shell back and forth. Having this complete historieal record opens the possibility of decoding the generic principles behind this beauty. My interest in these patterns began with a dinner in an Italian restaurant.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Max-Plank-Institut for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany

    Hans Meinhardt

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: The Algorithmic Beauty of Sea Shells

  • Authors: Hans Meinhardt

  • Series Title: The Virtual Laboratory

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-03617-4

  • Publisher: Springer Berlin, Heidelberg

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

  • Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1998

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-662-03617-4Published: 29 June 2013

  • Series ISSN: 1431-939X

  • Edition Number: 2

  • Number of Pages: XI, 236

  • Number of Illustrations: 133 b/w illustrations, 267 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Computer Graphics, Computer Appl. in Life Sciences, Simulation and Modeling

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