Analysis and synthesis of radiate accretive growth in three dimensions

The growth forms of a series of samples of the spongeHaliclona oculata,collected along an environmental gradient, are compared to a series of three-dimensional simulated growth forms. In the series of three-dimensional objects the environmental gradient is simulated by gradually changing a model parameter that represents the capabilities of the transport system by which nutrients are transported through the sponge tissue. Actual and simulated forms are compared by applying methods from mathematical morphology.