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7. EPILOGUE
tually nonexistent. Most methods applied to shape analysis in growth and
form are based on landmarks (see for example Chaplain et al. 1999), which
seem to be more suitable in unitary organisms.
MODELING THE PHYSIOLOGY. In Kooijman (2000) an interesting model is
proposed for the relation between carbonate deposition and metabolism in
stony coral. Inclusion of a model of the absorption of calcium carbonate could
potentially provide insight into the role of reef organisms in the absorption of
carbonate from their environment. There are almost no cases where models
of what is happening inside the organism (the physiology) are extended to
the morphology of the organisms.
7.1 Conclusion
We believe that the combination of in vivo, in vitro, and in silico experiments
opens up several new ways to study growth and form in marine sessile
organisms. This book might contribute by initiating new collaborations
among scientists from different disciplines. Hopefully it will also contribute
to a better understanding of the emergence of growth and form in these
beautiful organisms and provide new methods for analyzing bioarchives and
bio-monitoring studies.