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Sclerochronology and the Size versus Age Problem

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Heterochrony in Evolution

Part of the book series: Topics in Geobiology ((TGBI,volume 7))

Abstract

The rekindling of interest surrounding the role of heterochrony in the evolution of life has produced many examples of paedomorphosis and peramorphosis among fossil taxa, attesting to the ubiquity of this phenomenon (McNamara, 1986, and this volume). Nevertheless, two significant problems are intimately associated with such heterochronic studies: (1) uncertainties of taxonomy and ancestor-descendant relationships (see Fink, this volume); and (2) the problem of assessing absolute age (and hence growth rate) throughout ontogeny. Whereas both problems may be significant when attempting to distinguish among the various heterochronic processes that might have operated in a particular case, it is my contention that sclerochronology can often help resolve the latter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Florida State Museum, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA

    Douglas S. Jones

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  1. Douglas S. Jones
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological Sciences, and Graduate Program in Ecology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37996-1410, USA

    Michael L. McKinney

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Jones, D.S. (1988). Sclerochronology and the Size versus Age Problem. In: McKinney, M.L. (eds) Heterochrony in Evolution. Topics in Geobiology, vol 7. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0795-0_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0795-0_6

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