The Algorithmic Beauty of Sea Shells - Couverture rigide

Meinhardt, Hans

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 3540921419 ISBN 13 : 9783540921417

Editeur : Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. K, 2009

Synopsis

The pigment patterns on tropical shells are of great beauty and diversity. Their mixture of regularity and irregularity is fascinating. A particular pattern seems to follow particular rules but these rules allow variations. No two shells are identical. The motionless patterns appear to be static, and, indeed, they consist of calci?ed material. However, as will be shown in this book, the underlying mechanism that generates this beauty is eminently dynamic. It has much in common with other dynamic systems that generate patterns, such as a wind-sand system that forms large dunes, or rain and erosion that form complex rami?ed river systems. On other shells the underlying mechanism has much in common with waves such as those commonly observed in the spread of an epidemic. A mollusk can only enlarge its shell at the shell margin. In most cases, only at this margin are new elements of the pigmentation pattern added. Therefore, the shell pattern preserves the record of a process that took place over time 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 historical record opens the possibility of decoding the generic principles behind this beauty.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

The compellingly beautiful patterns on the shells of tropical sea snails also record biological development. In this book, full of astonishing science and fascinating pictures, Hans Meinhardt has used computer processing power to recreate these patterns.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. K
• Date d'édition: 2009
• ISBN 10: 3540921419
• ISBN 13: 9783540921417
• Reliure: Relié
• Langue: anglais
• Numéro d'édition: 4
• Nombre de pages: 269
• Illustrateur: Prusinkiewicz Przemyslaw, Fowler Deborah R.
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible