morphospace

Morphospace is a conceptual tool used by scientists to visualize the diversity of shapes and forms found in living organisms or fossils. Imagine a multi-dimensional map where each point represents a specific body shape or structure, with related forms located near each other. This helps researchers understand how different shapes evolved, how species are related, and why certain forms are more common. Morphospaces enable scientists to explore the range of natural variations and identify patterns or constraints in biological forms across different species and time periods.