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Radially symmetric life; Radially symmetric land life
Topic Started: Jun 27 2009, 02:33 PM (2,096 Views)
T.Neo
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If axisymmetric life was dominant on land, what would it look like? Where would it have eyes, mouths and excretory organs?
Would it/could it ever evolve flying forms?

Just a thought. I'm beginning to think I wonder about this stuff too much. :P
A hard mathematical figure provides a sort of enlightenment to one's understanding of an idea that is never matched by mere guesswork.
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ATEK Azul
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What about bitrilateral? They would be like 2 triangles connected at the tips.
I am dyslexic, please ignore the typo's!
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ashwinder
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Also I guess we're all presuming that symmetry is necessarily preferred by all forms of life...
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T.Neo
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ashwinder
Jul 6 2009, 05:56 AM
Also I guess we're all presuming that symmetry is necessarily preferred by all forms of life...
Well, life on Earth has tended to evolve symmetry repeatedly- only simple forms such as sponges are asymmetrical.
Plants have evolved symmetry too, though only on a small scale. (trunks, branches and roots seem to take on haphazard, fractal shapes.)

So it is reasonable to think that complex alien animal/plant/fungi analogues will have some form of symmetry, the question is what kind.

Spherical symmetry, biradial symmetry, perhaps? :P
A hard mathematical figure provides a sort of enlightenment to one's understanding of an idea that is never matched by mere guesswork.
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ashwinder
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Indeed, but we have to wonder how good an example earth is of life in general. I agree that as it is the only example we have that our best guess should be that symmetry does some to go hand in hand with life but who knows...

It seems to me that symmetry is maintained at a micro level which in turn effects the basic bodyplans of most organisms, but on a macro-level things can get a bit more interesting such as the claws of hermit crabs, the twisted bodies of adult plaice and even the organisation of the human brain. asymmetry arrises from symmetry so to speak. I just wonder how far other life-forms, even if they are symmetrical at heart, might deviate from this...

I'm just playing devil's advocate! :P
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T.Neo
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ashwinder
Jul 6 2009, 09:14 AM
It seems to me that symmetry is maintained at a micro level which in turn effects the basic bodyplans of most organisms, but on a macro-level things can get a bit more interesting such as the claws of hermit crabs, the twisted bodies of adult plaice and even the organisation of the human brain. asymmetry arrises from symmetry so to speak. I just wonder how far other life-forms, even if they are symmetrical at heart, might deviate from this...
That is indeed possible, and interesting to speculate about. Radially symmetrical creatures converging bilateral symmetry was discussed earlier, and the opposite has happened on Earth- some echinoderms have bilaterally symmetrical larvae and probably evolved from bilaterally symmetrical ancestors, yet are radially symmetrical.
A hard mathematical figure provides a sort of enlightenment to one's understanding of an idea that is never matched by mere guesswork.
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ashwinder
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I like the idea of alien life going through different life stages involving different lines of symmetry...
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ATEK Azul
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What about multisymetrical life? like a life form whos front is quadsymetrical and its back end is bisymetrical?
I am dyslexic, please ignore the typo's!
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Empyreon
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Are you plausible?

Another thing to consider is that even we humans are only bilaterally symmetrical on the outside. Internally, things are not as evenly balanced, so it's probably not too far of a stretch to find aliens that are asymmetrical both inside and out.
Take a look at my exobiology subforum of the planet Nereus!

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food for thought
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ATEK Azul
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That is a good point and this topic is giving me some exelent ideas lol, keep it up!
I am dyslexic, please ignore the typo's!
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Empyreon
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Are you plausible?

If anyone is still interested in large, radially symmetrical life forms, I've posted my Magnificent Strider:

http://spec-evolution.sytes.net/single/?p=296197&t=1713511

Take a look and let me know if it makes sense!
Take a look at my exobiology subforum of the planet Nereus!

COM Contributions


food for thought
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ATEK Azul
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I think it is quite possible and very interesting it is like a living eiffel tower lol, the size I think is possible but not every 1 might agree and the only part that makes sense but sounds insane at the same time is the sonic boom ability.
I am dyslexic, please ignore the typo's!
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