Morphodynamics is defined as the unique interaction among environment, functional morphology, developmental constraints, phylogeny, and time-all of which shape the evolution of life. These fabricational patterns and similarities owe their regularity not to a detailed genetic program, but to extrinsic factors, which may be mechanical, chemical, or biological in nature. These self-organizing mechanisms are the focus of Morphodynamics. Illustrated by numerous examples from across the biological spectrum, this book embodies the foundation of noted paleontologist Adolf Seilacher's thinking on the study of morphodynamics. It represents his unique approach of presenting paleontology from an ecological and constructional perspective, rather than a purely taxonomic one. The hallmark of Seilacher's storied career has been a constructional and functional focus. He begins by discussing the basic principles-form, pattern formation, ecology and evolution, as well as the factors that override those processes. Next, he examines how morphodynamic principles are implemented in various invertebrates including single-celled protists, Ediacarans, sponges, coelenterates, shelled organisms, worms, arthropods, and echinoderms. The final chapter explores how morphogenetic principles may apply to clonal colonial organisms. Summarizing seventy years of research into the interactions of form, function, and evolution, the book is copiously illustrated with the author's own distinctive drawings and an abundance of photos. It provides a framework for readers to pose their own questions and sharpen their interpretive skills on this fascinating topic.

The problem of bedding, a basic feature of most sedimenta- ry rocks, is as old as the science of geology itself. We use bedding in structural geology, regional correlation and for estimating the time involved in the strati'9Taphic record. Nevertheless we still are far from fully under- standing the processes involved. This is particularly true for carbonate rocks, where primary phenomena are sometimes difficult to separate from the secondary diagenetic over- print. After new interest in the subject had arisen from the International Deep Sea Drilling Project and from pa- leoecological studies in our own research group (Sonder- forschungsbereich 53 "Pal6kologie"), a Rundgesprach (work- shop) was held in Tlibingen on April 25th - 27th 1980. The present volume, which resulted from this symposium, con- tains a variety of contributions, including some by col- leagues that were unable to attend the meeting itself. Papers whose authors did not submit an elaborated manu- script, are represented by abstracts in the form presented for the meeting. Our own interest in the problem envolved from studies of "Fossil-Bonanzas", such as the Solnhofen lithographic lime- stones or the bituminous Posidonia shales, in which the unusual kind and preservation of fossils indicated extre- me environmental conditions. During these studies (see sununary reports in Zbl. Geol. Palaont. II, 1976 and N. Jb. Geol. Palaont. , 157, 1978) we realized that even in these cases one single environmental model is usually insuffi- cient to explain the conflicting evidences.