Nonlinear growth dynamics and the origin of fluctuating asymmetry
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Abstract
The nonlinear, complex nature of biosynthesis magnifies the impacts of small, random perturbations on organism growth, leading to distortions in adaptive allometries and, in particular, to fluctuating asymmetry. These distortions can be partly checked by cell-cell and inter-body part feedback during growth and development, though the latter mechanism also may lead to complex patterns in right-left asymmetry. Stress can be expected to increase the degree to which random growth perturbations are magnified and may also result in disruption of the check mechanisms, thus exaggerating fluctuating asymmetry.
The processes described not only provide one explanation for the existence of fluctuating asymmetry and its augmentation under stress, but suggest additional effects of stress as well. Specifically, stress is predicted to lead to decreased fractal dimension of bone sutures and branching structures in animals, and in increased dimension of growth trace patterns such as those found in mollusc shells and fish otoliths and scales.
A basic yet broad primer on fractals and chaos is provided as background for the theoretical development in this manuscript.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Nonlinear growth dynamics and the origin of fluctuating asymmetry |
| Series title | Genetica |
| DOI | 10.1007/BF02424507 |
| Volume | 89 |
| Year Published | 1993 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Kluwer Academic Publishers |
| Contributing office(s) | Western Fisheries Research Center |
| Description | 20 p. |
| First page | 77 |
| Last page | 96 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |