NATO ASI

[Leslie F. Marcus]

This notice has also been sent to MORPHMET at CUNYVM.
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                  NATO ADVANCED STUDY INSTITUTE

                   ADVANCES IN MORPHOMETRICS
Analysis of Size and Shape of Organisms Using Geometric Morphometrics

Il Ciocco, Tuscany, Italy                            July 18-30, 1993

Applications will be sent on request(Airmail or E-Mail).  60 participants
will be accepted from NATO and eastern European countries.  Deadline for
receipt of applications is April 1, 1993.

There is a revolution in morphometrics.  Emphasis is changing from
traditional measurements evaluated in abstract high dimensional feature
space, to geometric considerations in three dimensional organism space
based on landmarks and coordinate data.

Since 1988, four workshops (two in the United States and two in Europe)
have taught various aspects of the new methodology, emphasizing data
acquisition, multivariate data analysis, graphical representation of
findings, and applications to problems in zoology and botany.

The ASI will assess the "state of the art" of the newer methods suitable
for biologists using quantitative methods.  Because much of the founda-
tion for these methods is new, the ASI will provide tutorials on their
theory and computation.  Participants will also be encouraged to collect
and analyze data during the ASI, using 2 and 3D digitizing equipment
and desktop computers.  Applications to be discussed include systematics,
and evolution, growth and development, biogeography, paleontology and
phylogenetic analysis.

Organizing Committee:
Leslie F. Marcus, Queens College of CUNY, Director;  Michel Baylac,
Natural History Museum, Paris;  Marco Corti and Anna Loy, University
of Rome "La Sapienza"; and Antonio Valdecasas, Natural History Museum,
Madrid.
Additional faculty:
Fred Bookstein, The University of Michigan; David Dean, New York
University Medical School; Gavin Naylor, The University of Michigan;
Richard Reyment, Uppsala University; F. James Rohlf and Dennis Slice,
SUNY at Stony Brook.

Topics include:
Multivariate statistics for morphometrics
Analysis of coordinate data (distances, shape spaces, shape coordinates,
    Procrustes methods, thin-plate splines and warps)
Graphical displays of morphometric findings
Applications to systematics: including the vertebrate skull in moles
    and other groups
Applications in studies of allometry
Relation of the new morphometrics to other brances of quantitative
    biology:  Phylogenetics; Genetics; Biogeography
Analysis of outlines and analysis of ridge curves on surfaces
Comparison of traditional and geometric morphometrics;
    comparisons among geometric methods

Particpants and faculty are required to remain for the entire ASI.
Applicants will submit brief abstracts of completed morphometric
applications, work in progress, or problems and questions for
morphometric analysis.  Final abstracts will be due after notification
of acceptance.   A poster session for all participants will be held,
and selected papers will be incorporated into the program and published
in the ASI proceedings volume.  Posters will be published as well.

There is very limited support available for some participants. You will
be able to indicate the level of award required, with justification on
the application.

Il Ciocco is a semi-isolated resort complex in the hills of Tuscany
about 60 km. north of Pisa.  Full board accomodation including trans-
portation to and from Pisa will be provided for 12 days at 99,500 Liras
per day double occupancy and 131,500 Liras per day for a single room.


Request for Applications should be sent to: Leslie F. Marcus;  Dept.
Invertebrates, American Museum of Natural History;  CPW at 79th;
New York, New York 10024. Tel: 212-769-5721 (answer phone if not there)
FAX: 212-769-5495 or 5233; E-mail: LAMQC at CUNYVM.BITNET or @CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU
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