Can fractal dimensions objectivize gastropod shell morphometrics? A case study from Lake Lugu (SW China).

ABSTRACT: Morphometrics are fundamental for the analysis of size and shape in fossils, particularly because soft parts or DNA are rarely preserved and hard parts such as shells are commonly the only source of information. Geometric morphometrics, that is, landmark analysis, is well established for the description of shape but it exhibits a couple of shortcomings resulting from subjective choices during landmarking (number and position of landmarks) and from difficulties in resolving shape at the level of micro-sculpture.With the aid of high-resolution 3D scanning technology and analyses of fractal dimensions, we test whether such shortcomings of linear and landmark morphometrics can be overcome. As a model group, we selected a clade of modern viviparid gastropods from Lake Lugu, with shells that sho

SUBMITTER: Wiese R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8888252 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature