paleonet Phenotypic Variation Topical Session

[Steve Hageman <HagemanSJ@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Announcement for a GSA Topical Session, Denver 2002:

Phenotypic Variation: Discriminating Evolution from Environment

Sponsored by the Paleontological Society for the Geological Society of
America Meeting in Denver, Colorado Oct. 27-30, 2002
(Abstract Deadline - July 16)
http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2002

DESCRIPTION:
The ability to document changes in phenotype through time and space is one
of the unique contributions that paleontology provides to evolutionary
biology. The challenge of interpreting causal factors of phenotypic
variation within and among fossil species can be addressed by morphometric
analyses.  The goal of this session is fourfold: (1) expose the
paleontological community to recent advances in applications of
morphological analysis as applied to questions of evolution, paleoecology
and development; (2) to provide a common forum that includes both
paleontologists and neontologists who are exploring similar questions using
the phenotype of organisms; (3) to include results and methods from
invertebrate paleontology, vertebrate paleontology, paleobotany and
micropaleontology; (4) to provide an overview of phenotypic variation and
analysis suitable for all paleontologists to bring to their classroom or
research.

ORGANIZERS:
Steve Hageman, Appalachian State University, hagemansj@appstate.edu
Peter Kaplan, University of Michigan, kaplanp@umich.edu