Second Genus of the Stauraxonia heterostaura

Heterostaura allopola

Centrepipeda, Zeugita

Organic Basic Forms with Central Plane

Stereometric Basic Form : Half amphitect pyramid

Non-equipolar bilateral forms.

The form group of the Zeugites or allopolar heterostaurs is the last and most differentiated group, and at the same time the most important and most diverse, of all main groups which we have found by our investigation of the axes of organic forms and their poles. Of the animal kingdom most of the so-called bilateral-symmetric animals belong to the present group, namely all vertbrates, Arthropods, Molluscs, most worms, further a large number of Echinoderms (the so-called irregular Echinoderms), many Coelenterates, etc. Just as common we find this basic form in the plant kingdom, where most of the so-called "irregular flowers", for example of the Grasses, Orchids, Umbellifers, Labiates, Composites and many others, belong to it (The "Composites" have 'flowers' that are composed of many very small flowers -- florets -- and it is these latter that, like all the other mentioned flowers, belong to the form group of the Allopola).
The allopolar heterostauric form obtains its biggest importance as the general basic form of most of the higher organized persons and metamers. But it is also generally basic to the form of antimers and organs, less common to that of cells and colonies (Cormi). So we indeed can indicate this basic form as the most important and most applicable one of all basic forms.

Figure 1.   The basic form of the Heterostaura allopola, illustrated with half a Rhombic Pyramid (which itself is the basic form of the Allopola eudipleura) .
Left image :   bisection face (originated by the bisection of the whole Rhombic Pyramid) emphasized (green).
Right image :   Base emphasized (green).
Main axis (vertical), lateral axis (horizontal) and dorso-ventral axis are indicated in red.


The conspicuous feature that can directly be seen in all forms belonging to the allopolar heterostaurs consists of the fact that their body can be divided into two symmetric halves by just  o n e  central plane of division, and only by that plane. One such half is the mirror image of the other. Accordingly the mouth pole is different from the counter mouth pole, so also the dorsal from the ventral pole, while both lateral poles (left and right) are symmetrically equal (or similar), but not congruent. So while we can in the autopolar heterostaurs still divide their body into two congruent parts by means of one directional plane as well as by the other, we cannot do so in the case of the allopolar heterostaurs :   their body is not divisible into two congruent parts at all. This property is based on the fact that the two  d i r e c t i o n a l  p l a n e s,  that as two  u n e q u a l  meridian planes meeting at right angles, characterize all heterostaurs as such, in the autopoles divide each other into two equal halves, while in the allopoles just one, or none is so divided. We can express this distinction succintly as follows :
In the autopolar heterostaurs or toxomorphs (sagittalians) both poles (polar surfaces, polar parts) of  e a c h  directional axis are equal. In the allopolar heterostaurs on the other hand both poles of either only one directional axis (lateral axis) are equal, or of none.
The  c e n t r a l  p l a n e,  which is the only plane of bisection of the allopolar heterostaurs, coincides with the  m e d i a n  p l a n e,  that is common in all heterostaurs, and which contains the main axis and one directional axis (dorso-ventral axis). In the autopoles (toxomorphs) the median plane shares the ability to divide the body into two equal halves with the lateral plane, so here we have so to say  t w o  c e n t r a l  p l a n e s. Therefore the body center is still a line, namely the line of intersection of both central planes that are perpendicular to each other, i.e. (that line is) the main axis. Only in the allopolar heterostaurs the center of the body becomes a plane. If one wants this characteristic property to be expressed in the name of the group, then one can use the name  C e n t r e p i p e d a,  in contradistinction to the forms studied until now, in which the body center either was a straight line ( C e n t r a x o n i a ), or a point ( C e n t r o s t i g m a ). For this determining character, their ability to be divided into two equal halves in only one direction, it is immaterial whether the organismic body consists of two or of more than two antimers. Because the expressions "Centrepipeda" or "Heterostaura allopola", while they indicate the character of these forms completely, are somewhat long-winded, and (because) the term"bilateral-symmetric" (is) equivocal, it would perhaps be more appropriate to signify all the forms that belong to them with the term  Z e u g i t a  ( zeugites, the pairwise connected).

The general morphological properties of the zeugites or centrepipeds are of a very definite nature, implying that when one investigates them closely, their differences from the autopolar heterostaurs, with whom they often are confused, become very clear. In all zeugites the two body halves, that are separated by the median plane, are symmetrically equal or similar, but never congruent. They are each others mirror images and consequently cannot be mapped onto each other by any mechanical operation (like for instance rotation, or translation). In the majority of all centrepipeds these two halves, which we usually distinguish as right and left, are symmetrically equal. So all parts (i.e. morphological elements) are repeated with equal number and magnitude, and with equal relative, but opposite absolute positioning in the opposite body half. The only essential difference between the two halves consists in the fact that the equal distance of the parts from the common median plane is measured in opposite directions in either half. In another part of the centrepipeds on the other hand, as in the Pleuronectids (flatfishes) or the Gastropods that are coiled into a spiral, the two body halves are only symmetrically similar, insofar as one half is more or less stronger developed than the other, while both parts still possess the same (number of) essential organs or predispositions thereof. The right and left halves then are not only opposite, but also unequal, but still more or less similar.
According to this important distinction we can distinguish two divisions within the allopolar heterostaurs, when we indicate the forms that are symmetrically equal as  H o m o p l e u r a,  an the forms that are just symmetrically similar as  H e t e r o p l e u r a.
The just mentioned difference can be reduced to the fact that in the Homopleura both poles of just  o n e  (dorso-ventral) directional axis become unequal, while those of the other directional axis (lateral) remain equal. In the Heteropleura on the other hand both poles of both directional axes become unequal, often in such a degree, that the centrepiped character becomes strongly disturbed, as in the mentioned Pleuronectids and Gastropods.
So the  h o m o p l e u r a l  z e u g i t e s,  or the "strict bilateral-symmetric" organismic forms, distinguish themselves from all other heterostaurs by the fact that from the three unequal euthyni (directional axes) being perpendicular to each other,  o n e  (the lateral axis) is  e q u i p o l a r,  while the other two (dorso-ventral and main axis) are  u n e q u i p o l a r.
In the  h e t e r o p l e u r a l  z e u g i t e s,  in which also left and right differentiate themselves,  a l l  t h r e e  d i r e c t i o n a l  a x e s  a r e  u n e q u i p o l a r.

As important this distinction of homopleural and heteropleural forms seems to be, as insignificant it is for an understanding of the essence of the basic form within practical morphology, because the differentiation of the left and right body halves or of both poles of the lateral axis, will never acquire the same significance for the form as it is generally possessed by the differentiation of both poles of the dorso-ventral axis and those of the main axis.
Strictly speaking, the heteropleural condition is very common in zeugites, because the left and right halves are only seldom equal with respect to the smallest details of their form and magnitude. But these more fine-grained differences are legitimately ignored in any general morphological inquiry. Only those forms are determined as being genuine Heteropleura in which the unequality of the symmetrically similar right and left halves is conspicuous, as in Pleuronectids (flatfishes) and spiral Gastropods.

The number of antimers in zeugites is not considered by researchers just before Haeckel's time, and yet it is of the utmost importance for the assessment and distinction of several zeugite forms, whether they consist of two antimers, as in Vertebrates, Molluscs and Articulates, or of four, as in most worms, or of three antimers, as in Orchids, or of five, as in the irregular Echinoderms. On the basis of these differences we will first of all divide the form group of the Heterostaura allopola into two subgroups, that correspond to the two subgroups of the Autopola.
To the  o r t h o s t a u r i c  a u t o p o l e s  with two or four antimers correspond the  Z y g o p l e u r a l  z e u g i t e s  with two or four antimers, in which only one or two radial, and just as many interradial cross planes are present.
To the  o x y s t a u r i c  a u t o p o l e s  with six, eight or more antimers correspond the  A m p h i p l e u r a l  z e u g i t e s  with three, five or more antimers, in which at least three radial or semiradial cross planes are expressed.
In each of these two divisions homopleural and heteropleural forms can occur. However in the Amphipleura the heteropleural forms are very rare.

The geometric basic form of the  z e u g i t e s  o r  a l l o p o l a r  h e t e r o s t a u r s  is the  b i s e c t e d  a m p h i t e c t  p y r a m i d. This basic form can therefore be obtained by dividing the basic form of the autopolar heterostaurs into two equal halves. The plane of bisection coincides with one of the directional planes. The same applies to the corresponding subgroups of both form groups. In this way the general basic form of the  Z  y g o p e u r a  is half an amphitect pyramid with four sides, i.e. half a Rhombic Pyramid. The general basic form of the  A m p h i p l e u r a  is half an amphitect pyramid with 4+2n sides. But these division laws are strictly speaking only valid for the Homopleura in both form groups, because the unequality of the two lateral halves, that we see in the Heteropleura, impedes a definite determination of a general geometric basic form.
These most differentiated of all basic forms seem first of all, because of their inherent irregularity, to be connected with the lowest of all basic forms, the amorphous bodies or Anaxonia (See HERE for a treatment of these lowest forms). And partially they, like the latter, have indeed been interpreted as totally "irregular" or "asymetric" forms. But we should not forget, that in spite of the strong differentiation of the unequal antimers, and because of that also of the lateral halves, the pyramidal form remains determined in virtue of the number of antimers and of the relationship between the heteropolar main axis and the cross axes. The general basic form of the Heteropleura consequently is the irregular pyramid.




Real and Ideal Bisection of Pyramids

The geometric derivation of allopolar basic forms from autopolar basic forms, which is the most important promorphological transition, involves  b i s e c t i o n  of pyramids, in this case not a bisection along the equatorial plane but along a plane containing the main axis. Sometimes the number of antimers is halved by such an operation, sometimes that number remains the same, leading to different form groups. These bisections cause some directional axes to become heteropolar.
In order to systematically and neatly derive the allopolar forms we will distinguish between two types of bisection of a pyramid, namely a  r e a l  b i s e c t i o n  and an  i d e a l  b i s e c t i o n  (This distinction and its application is not recognized by Haeckel).
Let us define :

In the case of a  r e a l  bisection of a pyramid, representing a basic form, the number of antimers will be halved.
In the case of an  i d e a l  bisection of a pyramid, representing a basic form, the original number of antimers will be preserved, but some of these antimers will become differentiated from the rest.

On interpreting the configuration of antimers in general, but especially in the case of assessing the Tetraphragma and Tetrapleura, the organic forms, i.e. the concrete organic form individuals, will always constitute our point of reference. As  "a n t i m e r s"  we consider those counter parts -- i.e. discernable parts that group themselves around the center of the given organic form individual -- that show the highest morphological independency, i.e. that show the highest degree of individuality within that given form individual (We say "highest" with respect to all cases where there is some doubt as to whether some part is an antimer or not). When we interpret the result of a bisection we keep following the original antimers while they are in the process of differentiation (ideal bisection) or in the process of a real bisection of the given form individual. This is important for the assessment of the (number of) antimers that are left after the bisection.
In all this we should keep in mind that in the organic world there are seldom -- if any -- two individuals that are exactly identical. And this also applies to  s y m m e t r y - i n d i v i d u a l s,  i.e. to  a n t i m e r s.  And because of the complexity of organic individuals (morphonts) -- of all orders -- and because of the omnipresent  t r a n s i t i o n s,  the science of Promorphology is clearly distinguished from pure Stereometry. Especially in the Allopoles, where, for example, the main axis cannot be geometrically distinguished anymore from the dorso-ventral axis, and where in the heteropleural dipleural allopoles (Dysdipleura) it cannot be so distinguished at all -- to express this fact we could call the latter  T r i a x o n i a -- we must keep the difference of the two disciplines in mind.
The above defined ways of  b i s e c t i o n  of pyramids can be illustrated by means of their  b a s e s  (or equatorial planes for that matter).

We shall first of all -- using the concepts of real and ideal bisection -- derive the Zygopleural zeugites from the orthostauric autopoles. The different colors used to indicate regions in the ensuing drawings are meant to highlight the antimers by distinguishing and, in a way separate them from each other. Different colors neither do mean different types of antimers nor their symmetry relations.
We start with a bisection of a straight rectangular four-sided pyramid (the base of which is a rectangle, and having its tip right above the center of that rectangle, causing the main axis to be a 2-fold rotation axis). This pyramid is supposed to represent an organismic form with four antimers, while both its directional axes are interradial, so it is the basic form of the Autopola tetraphragma interradialia. The next Figure illustrates a  r e a l  b i s e c t i o n  of this basic form (represented by the pyramid's base).

Figure 2.
Left image :   Base of a four-sided rectangular straight pyramid. This base is rectangular. The antimers are indicated by colors (light blue and yellow). The shape of these antimers, as drawn, symbolizes the heteropolarity of the main axis of the pyramid, which here means that each antimer is wholly asymmetric (See next Figure). The rectangular pyramid, here represented by its base, is the basic form of the Tetraphragma interradialia (Autopola).
Right image :   Result of a  r e a l  bisection performed on the left image. The number of antimers is halved. The resulting basic form is an  a l l o p o l a r  form, namely one that belongs to the Eudipleura (Allopola zygopleura), i.e. allopoles with two symmetrically equal, but not congruent, antimers.


Figure 3.   Antimer of a rectangular pyramid. The vertical main axis (red) is perpendicular to the cross axes (red), implying the asymmetry of the antimer.



Figure 4.
Left image :   Base of a four-sided rectangular straight pyramid as in Figure 2 (left image). This pyramid is the basic form of the Tetraphragma interradialia (Autopola). An ideal bisection line (in fact just a partition line) is indicated (red) symbolizing ideal bisection, i.e. differentiation of an antimer pair with respect to the other pair.
Right image :   Result of an  i d e a l  bisection performed on the left image. The number of antimers is preserved. The resulting basic form is an  a l l o p o l a r  form, namely one that belongs to the Eutetrapleura interradialia (Allopola zygopleura), i.e. an allopolar form with two unequal pairs of antimers, each pair consisting of two symmetrically positioned antimers.


In both cases just described (Figures 2 and 4) the result of the bisection was a homopleural zeugite. If we bisect these in turn, then we get heteropleural zeugites. See next Figures.

Figure 5.
Left image :   Base of a halved four-sided rectangular straight pyramid, as in Figure 2 right image. This pyramid has two symmetrically positioned antimers. It is the basic form of Zygopleura eudipleura, and as such a homopleural zeugite.
Right image :   Result of a  r e a l  bisection performed on the left image. Initially the number of antimers is halved, which in this case means that there is only one antimer left. But as such it cannot be an antimer anymore, because by definition antimers are counter parts. If we interpret the resulting basic form as a heteropleural zeugite, then it is heteropleural in the strongest sense, which here means that the resulting form is wholly asymmetric. It reflects in a way the shapes that we find in crystals of the Asymmetric Class of the Triclinic Crystal System. Promorphologically the resulted form should belong to the Anaxonia (forms that do not admit of non-arbitrary body axes).


Figure 6.
Left image :   Base of a halved four-sided rectangular straight pyramid, as in Figure 2 right image. This pyramid has two symmetrically positioned antimers. It is the basic form of Zygopleura eudipleura, and as such a homopleural zeugite.
Right image :   A form, wholly equivalent to that of the left image. The image is adapted in order it to be able to express the asymmetry of the right antimer after ideal bisection (See next Figure).


Figure 7.
Left image :   Adapted outline of the base of a halved four-sided rectangular straight pyramid, as in Figure 6 right image. This (halved) pyramid still has two symmetrically positioned antimers. It is the basic form of the Zygopleura eudipleura, and as such a homopleural zeugite. A line (red) of ideal bisection is added.
Right image :   Resulting form after  i d e a l  bisection of the form of the left image. Ideal bisection preserves the number of antimers, while at the same time expressing the differentiation of those antimers. The result is a form with (still)  t w o  antimers. These antimers are different from each other (but are supposed to possess (in the real organismic form) the same predisposition with respect to their parts. The two antimers are not symmetrically equal, nor congruent, but symmetrically similar. We have derived the Dysdipleura (Allopola zygopleura).

 

Having just studied the transition from Autopola to Allopola by considering the Tetraphragma interradialia (Autopola) as initial form type, we will continue the study of this transition by taking as initial form type the Tetraphragma radialia (Autopola). We directly see that  r e a l  bisection is not possible, because real bisection symbolizes halving the number of antimers, so no antimers should be bisected in the process.
If we take, however, as initial form type the Diphragma (Autopola), the basic form of which is, like that of the Tetraphragma, a Rhombic Pyramid, then  r e a l  bisection is indeed possible, resulting in a form having only one of the antimers of the original diphragmic form, but because this antimer is symmetric in itself, its symmetrical halves will now be the two antimers of the new form. See next Figure.

Figure 8.
Left image :   Base of a Rhombic Pyramid with  t w o  antimers. As such it is the basic form of the Diphragma (Autopola). The two antimers are indicated with colors (light blue and yellow).
Right image :   Result of a  r e a l  bisection of the form of the left image. The resulting form consists of one antimer, which is however itself consisting of two symmetrically positioned antimers. We have derived a member of the Eudipleura (Allopola zygopleura).

 

We're now considering the basic form of the Tetraphragma radialia (Autopola) as the initial form type in the transition to the Allopola.

Figure 9.
Left image :   Base of a Rhombic Pyramid with  f o u r  antimers. This pyramid is the basic form of the Tetraphragma radialia (Autopola). The four antimers are indicated by colors (light blue and yellow).
Right image :   Line (red) of ideal bisection added (See the next Figure).


Figure 10.
Left image :   Constuction of an ideally bisected Rhombic Pyramid with  f o u r  antimers, illustrated by its base. The four original antimers are indicated by colors (light blue and yellow).
Right image :   Result of the ideal bisection. The resulting form still has four antimers, but three of them are differentiated with respect to the remaining one. We have constructed a form belonging to the Eutetrapleura radialia (Allopola zygopleura).


Finally we can derive the heteropleural form of the Tetrapleura radialia, namely the form then belonging to the Dystetrapleura radialia. See next Figure.

Figure 11.
Left image :   Constuction of an ideally  d o u b l y  bisected Rhombic Pyramid with  f o u r  antimers, illustrated by its base. The four original antimers are indicated by colors.
Right image :   Result of the ideal bisection. The resulting form still has four antimers, but three of them are differentiated with respect to the remaining one. We have constructed a (heteropleural) form belonging to the Dystetrapleura radialia (Allopola zygopleura).


The just derived basic form of the Dystetrapleura, as illustrated by the base of the irregular pyramid, is a pyramid of which the tip is not exactly above the center of its base. Therefore it is a  n o n - s t r a i g h t  p y r a m i d.
Perhaps it is instructive to depict a more extreme version of this form (with four antimers), in order to see its full asymmetry. See next Figure.

Figure 12. A more extreme version of the form constructed in Figure 11. The resulting form still has four antimers, but three of them are differentiated with respect to the remaining one. Also in this case we have constructed a (heteropleural) form belonging to the Dystetrapleura radialia (Allopola zygopleura).


What we have done above is the derivation of  allopolar forms (ultimately) from  orthostauric autopoles (The basic form of the latter are amphitect pyramids with two or four antimers). In doing so we got  z y g o p l e u r a l  f o r m s  (These forms have either two or four antimers) :

The  a l l o p o l a r  heterostaurs (Zeugites) consist of two subgroups, the  Z y g o p l e u r a  (which we derived above) and the  A m p h i p l e u r a.
While the Zygopleural zeugits can be derived from the orthostauric autopoles (as we did above), resulting in basic forms with 4, 2, or zero antimers, the Amphipleural zeugites can be derived from the oxystauric autopoles. Also in deriving those Amphipleural forms we will apply our concepts of ideal and real bisection of the given (oxystauric) pyramids, and will use the  b a s e s  of those pyramids to elucidate things.

The base ( b a s i s ) of an oxystauric autopolar pyramid is an amphitect polygon consisting of 4+2n sides, i.e. either having 6, or 8, or 12, etc. sides. Those sides are arranged such that the polygon has two mirror lines (its directional axes) perpendicular to each other while their point of intersection coincides with the center of the polygon. All this implies a 2-fold rotational symmetry for the polygon.
When we're going to derive polygones (bases) for amphipleural allopoles from polygones of oxystauric autopoles by means of either bisecting them ideally, or really, we never (conceptually) cut an antimer into separate pieces. In the process of bisecting the antimeres involved either disappear, or become differentiated, or do not change at all. The line of division (bisection) coincides with one of the directional axes in the case of real bisection. In a way this also holds for ideal bisection, because differentiation takes place immediately after the relevant directional axis, i.e. in ideal bisection differentiation takes place in one of the two areas separated by this axis. Because the bisection line is not allowed to run through any antimer (as outlined in the polygon), but only to run between them, some versions of amphitect polygones cannot be subjected to bisection, for example the following version of an eight-sided amphitect polygon :

Figure 13.   An eight-sided amphitect polygon, such that its two directional axes both are  r a d i a l.  Such a polygon cannot be bisected, neither really, nor ideally.


But the following version of an eight-sided amphitect polygon can be so divided :

Figure 14.   An eight-sided amphitect polygon, such that its two directional axes both are  i n t e r r a d i a l.  Such a polygon can be bisected, really, as well as ideally.


And the following version of a twelve-sided polygon can also be so divided :

Figure 15.   A twelve-sided amphitect polygon, such that its two directional axes both are  i n t e r r a d i a l.  Such a polygon can be bisected, really, as well as ideally.


The following version of a 14-sided amphitect polygon has one directional axis radial (horizontally orientated in the drawing), the other interradial (vertically oriented in the drawing), so bisection is only possible along the vertical directional axis.

Figure 16.   A fourteen-sided amphitect polygon, such that one of its directional axes is radial and the other interradial. Such a polygon can be bisected, really, as well as ideally, only along the interradial directional axis.


With this foreknowledge at hand it is now possible to systematically derive some Amphipleural forms (ultimately) from oxystauric autopola. For the latter, the lowest possible number of sides of the amphitect polygon (as base of the corresponding amphitect pyramid) is six (and all higher numbers must be even). So we start with a six-sided amphitect polygon representing (pyramidal) Hexaphragmic forms (Autopola), and derive from it a polygon representing an Amphipleural form (Allopola):

Figure 17.   A six-sided amphitect polygon representing the basic form of the Hexaphragma (Autopola). The six antimers are indicated with colors.  


Figure 18.  
Left image :   Result of a  r e a l  bisection of the polygon of the previous Figure. This result represents (by means of the base of the pyramid) the basic form of the Triamphipleura (Allopola amphipleura with three antimers).
Right image :   After some redistribution of colors, in order to show the symmetry with repect to the lateral axis.


The next Figures depict an ideal bisection of the same six-sided amphitect polygon :

Figure 19.   Indication of an ideal bisection to be performed on the six-sided amphitect polygon. See next Figure.


Figure 20.   Result of an  i  d e a l  bisection of the polygon of the previous Figure. This result represents (by means of the base of the pyramid) the basic form of the Hexamphipleura (Allopola amphipleura with six antimers).


After some reshuffling of the colors we get :

Figure 20a.   The same as the previous Figure, but now after redistributing some colors to express the symmetry with respect to the lateral axis.


Now we will derive the corresponding  h e t e r o p l e u r a l s  of the above homopleural amphipleural forms (Euamphipleura). This should be done by means of ideal bisection applied to the just derived amphipleurals. See next Figures.

Figure 21.   Indication of an  i d e a l  bisection of the polygon of Figure 18 representing the basic form of the Triamphipleura (Allopola amphipleura with three antimers). See next Figure.


Figure 22.   Result of an  i d e a l  bisection of the polygon of the previous Figure. This result represents (by means of the base of the pyramid) the basic form of the Dystriamphipleura (Allopola amphipleura heteropleura with three antimers).


Figure 23.   Indication of an  i d e a l  bisection of the polygon of Figure 20 representing the basic form of the Hexamphipleura (Allopola amphipleura with six antimers). See next Figure.


Figure 24.   Result of an  i d e a l  bisection of the polygon of the previous Figure. This result represents (by means of the base of the pyramid) the basic form of the Dyshexamphipleura (Allopola amphipleura heteropleura with six antimers).


Continuing our inquiry, we now will consider an eight-sided amphitect polygon as representing the basic form of octophragmic autopoles, and see how we can derive the corresponding allopoles (zeugites).

Figure 25.   An eight-sided amphitect polygon, such that its two directional axes both are  i n t e r r a d i a l.  It represents the basic form of the (interradial) Octophragma (Autopola). Such a polygon can be bisected, really, as well as ideally. The eight antimers are indicated by colors.


Figure 26.  
Left image :   Result of a  r e a l  bisection of the polygon of the previous Figure. This result represents (by means of the base of the pyramid) the basic form of the Eutetrapleura interradialia (Allopola zygopleura with four antimers).
Right image :   After redistribution of colors, in order to express the symmetry with respect to the lateral axis.


The just obtained result (real bisection of an interradial 8-sided amphitect polygon) seems at first sight to be the basic form of the "Tetramphipleura", i.e. an Amphipleural with four antimers. But if we look carefully to this result we see that we have already derived this basic form earlier ( See here HERE ), namely by ideal bisection of an amphitect pyramid with a rectangular base and with four antimers, which is the basic form of the Tetraphragma interradialia (Autopola orthostaura). See the next Figure where we compare our just obtained result with the one obtained earlier :

Figure 27.   Two results of the derivation of the Eutetrapleura interradialia (Allopola zygopleura with four antimers). To ease the comparison I have adapted the orientation and the coloring. The two forms are equivalent from a promorphological point of view.


The next Figures illustrate the ideal bisection of the 8-fold amphitect pyramid (represented by its base).

Figure 28.   Indication of an  i d e a l  bisection of the polygon of Figure 25 representing the basic form of the Octophragma (Autopola oxystaura with eight antimers). See next Figure.


Figure 29.   Result of an  i d e a l  bisection of the polygon of the previous Figure. This result represents (by means of the base of the pyramid) the basic form of the Octamphipleura (Allopola amphipleura with eight antimers).


After some reshuffling of the colors we get :

Figure 29a.   The same as the previous Figure, but now after redistributing some colors to express the symmetry with respect to the lateral axis.


By now the reader will know how to derive the corresponding heteropleurals. And because the latter are, within the Amphipleura, of lesser importance, we will not derive them in the sequel.

We will continue our derivations with the next higher autopolar pyramid, the 10-fold amphitect pyramid, represented by its base.

Figure 30.   A ten-sided amphitect polygon, such that one of its directional axes is  i n t e r r a d i a l,  while the other is  r a d i a l.  It represents the basic form of the Decaphragma (Autopola). Such a polygon can be bisected, really, as well as ideally, along the interradial directional axis. The ten antimers are indicated by colors.


The just depicted 10-sided amphitect polygon will first of all be really bisected :

Figure 31.  
Left image :   Result of a  r e a l  bisection of the polygon of the previous Figure. This result represents (by means of the base of the pyramid) the basic form of the Pentamphipleura (Allopola amphipleura with five antimers).
Right image :   After redistribution of colors, to indicate the symmetry with respect to the lateral axis.


The next Figures illustrate the ideal bisection.

Figure 32.   Indication of an  i d e a l  bisection of the polygon of Figure 30 representing the basic form of the Decaphragma (Autopola oxystaura with ten antimers). See next Figure.


Figure 33.   Result of an  i d e a l  bisection of the polygon of the previous Figure. This result represents (by means of the base of the pyramid) the basic form of the Decamphipleura (Allopola amphipleura with ten antimers).


After some reshuffling of the colors we get :

Figure 33a.   The same as the previous Figure, but now after redistributing some colors to express the symmetry with respect to the lateral axis.


The next Figures show the derivation of allopoles from a 12-sided amphitect pyramid, represented by its base.

Figure 34.   A twelve-sided amphitect polygon, such that both of its directional axes are  i n t e r r a d i a l.  It represents the basic form of the Dodecaphragma (Autopola). Such a polygon can be bisected, really, as well as ideally, along a directional axis.
The twelve antimers are indicated by colors.


Figure 35.  
Left image :   Result of a  r e a l  bisection of the polygon of the previous Figure. This result represents (by means of the base of the pyramid) the basic form of the Hexamphipleura (Allopola amphipleura with six antimers).
Right image :   After redistribution of colors, to indicate the symmetry with respect to the lateral axis.


The next Figures depict the ideal bidection.

Figure 36.   Indication of an  i d e a l  bisection of the polygon of Figure 34 representing the basic form of the Dodecaphragma (Autopola oxystaura with twelve antimers). See next Figure.


Figure 37.   Result of an  i d e a l  bisection of the polygon of the previous Figure. This result represents (by means of the base of the pyramid) the basic form of the Dodecamphipleura (Allopola amphipleura with twelve antimers).


After some reshuffling of the colors we get :

Figure 37a.   The same as the previous Figure, but now after redistributing some colors to express the symmetry with respect to the lateral axis.


Finally, from the 14-sided amphitect pyramid, represented by its the base, and as such representing the basic form of the Decakaitetraphragma (Autopola oxystaura), we will derive the corresponding allopolar forms :

Figure 38.   A fourteen-sided amphitect polygon, such that one of its directional axes is  i n t e r r a d i a l,  while the other is  r a d i a l.  It represents the basic form of the tetrakaidecaphragma (Autopola). Such a polygon can be bisected, really, as well as ideally, along the interradial directional axis. The fourteen antimers are indicated by colors.


Figure 39.   Result of a  r e a l  bisection of the polygon of the previous Figure. This result represents (by means of the base of the pyramid) the basic form of the Heptamphipleura (Allopola amphipleura with seven antimers).


Figure 40.   Indication of an  i d e a l  bisection of the polygon of Figure 38 representing the basic form of the Tetrakaidecaphragma (Autopola oxystaura with fourteen antimers). See next Figure.


Figure 41.   Result of an  i d e a l  bisection of the polygon of the previous Figure. This result represents (by means of the base of the pyramid) the basic form of the Tetrakaidecamphipleura (Allopola amphipleura with fourteen antimers).


In summarizing all this, we have performed the following derivations of amphipleural allopoles (ultimately) from oxystauric autopoles : Not all the above initial and derived basic forms need necessarily to be materialized in the organic world. But also forms, not occuring in Nature are interesting biologically, because there must be some reason for them not to occur.

In the next document we will summarize those zeugites (Allopoles), Zygopleura as wel as Amphipleura, that do occur in the organic world.


To continue click HERE to proceed further with the systematic Promorphology (Allopola).




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