The Mathematical Study of Mollusk Shells

Details of mathematical models

Nautilus. v=.18, c=1, a=1, b=0.6, h=1, k=0, t=-20..1	Astroceras. v=.12, c=1, a=1.25, b=1.25, h=3.5, k=0, t=-40..-1
Euhoplites. v=.1626, c=1, a=0.6, b=0.4, h=0.9, k=0, t=-40..-1	Bellerophina. v=.06, c=1, a=0.85, b=1.2, h=0.75, k=0, t=-10..-1

• 1. Terminal growth and unchanging form

• 2. Zoning laws in molluskville

• 3. Nautilus and the Ammonites

• 4. Things get more complicated in 3 dimensions, but Calculus comes to the rescue.

• 5. Mathematical models of helical shells

• 6. Ray Gildners Java applet for shell sketching

• 7. For further thought