On the Systematics and Scale for Measuring Historical Pathways of the Development of Morphological Diversity

Abstract

Parametrical classification of elementary units of multicellularity (of histiones), looking like a periodic table, is proposed. It allows both estimation and prediction of the development of histiones. In addition, it compactly reflects extensive phenomenology of development, deriving it from a few principles and, hence, allowing compression of information. The system of histiones included in the table is also represented as a circular diagram, and it is shown that adequate consideration of this set requires the use of at least five scales.