The Problem of Similarity of Shape
Z. Vasicek, R. Jicin · Systematic Biology · 1972
Vašíček, Z. and Jičín, R. (Dept. of Museology, University of J. E. Purkyně, Moravian Museum, Brno, Czechoslovakia ), 1971. The problem of similarity of shape. Syst. Zool ., 21:91–96.—The paper deals with a method of determination of the similarity of shapes of objects based on direct comparison of shape curves. Given that certain limiting conditions are fulfilled, shape curves may be interpreted numerically by this method and their mutual similarities determined. The method is more precise than the intuitive procedures commonly vised to describe and compare shapes. Its use is illustrated with an example from the cave bears. Summarization of information about the objects of study and their classification into groups according to their degree of similarity is commonly an early stage of many investigations. In describing objects and comparing their descriptions a starting point is made from the characteristics of the objects. An important group of these characteristics is formed by morphological features and here special attention is given to those characters that refer to the shape of objects or their parts.