Computer simulation of sphenopsid architecture. I. Principles and methodology

The modelling system AMAP 1 provides morphological models that reproduce the series of shapes developed in a plant structure during its growth. It is applicable to plants that have architectural features consistent with the principles introduced by Hallé et al. (Hallé, F., Oldeman, R.A.A., Tomlinson, P.B., 1978. Tropical Trees and Forest. Springer, Berlin, 441 pp.). We present the main principles of the methodology including the use of an architectural template and the statistical processing of the data collected on sample plants and a description of its components and parameters. We use models of Equisetum telmateia aerial shoots as examples of adaptations of this methodology to plants represented by a limited number of specimens. The main features of this approach that make it especially relevant for modelling incomplete and fragmented fossil plants include the use of architectural templates constructed by adding discrete morphological entities limited to a number of axial components as follows: as many branch orders as are identified in the sample plants, a single extension unit per branch order, and its internodes. This approach is viewed as a means to provide visual representations of plants at different ontogenetical stages, expressing our current knowledge of their growth and branching strategies, and of the parameters that control their geometries.