Ha! (Maybe Morph. Models)

• Selection and Construction by John Fentress, 2/1/98
  • Probably Not That Difficult by James Brody, 2/2/98
    
    

Ha! Not so complicated, eh? Well, I still have trouble with details in argument. May need to read more. Good notes, Jim. I'll check the refs. out.

I did come across a WONDERFUL paper from a Dalhousie colleague: "A model for development and evolution of complex morphological structures" by W. Atchley and B.K. Hall, Biol. Rev., 1991. Then I got a second paper (also from a colleague): "Evolution in nervous systems" by Arbas, Meinertzhagen & Shaw, Ann. Rev. Neurosci., 1991. Finally, through my daughter, I have made a copy of (but not yet read) a Scientific American article: "The Emergence of Modern Humans" (1990). It deals with alternative models of human racial histories, and in doing so deals with alternative genetic models for higher-order structures/functions.

Each of these papers does deal with levels of genetic control in interesting and potentially useful ways. I suspect that some of the ideas can be translated into behavior, but it will take some serious thought to see if this is an illusion.

I checked with Brian Hall, an author of first paper, and he agrees that literature in morphological evolution can (with care) be applied to behavioral evolution as well as development. One of the problems in behavior is that we do not have an obvious basis for taxonomy...unlike, for example, bones in rodent's jaw. Units are hard to define, and even harder to interpret. But its an exciting, and I think a relatively unexplored, prospect.

I hope to find moments between chores to look more carefully at these papers and the issues they raise, and will send along any insights (if there are any).

I agree, mania can follow on the heels of such enthusiasms. Better than being bored!

Cheers, John

• Morphology and other stuff by James Brody, 2/4/98