Main results of the "Telome Theory"

Abstract

The telome theory as a representalive of the "New Morphology", i.e. as a phylogenetic theory, describes the historical phylogendic process. This process forms in the first period of development the "Urtelome" (Thalassiophyta, Rhyniaceae). In the second period these "Urtelome" change to the recent Kormophyta. Only a few elementary processes participate in this immense change. In the first period, beginning with the unicellular stage, five cytological elementary processes formed the "Urtelome" (TEXT-FIG. 3): (1) connection of cells, (2) differentiation of meristem = origin of polarity, (3) rotation of cell axis, (4) shifting of chief phases in alternation of generations and (5) differentiation of different permanent tissues. The exterior form changes accordingly from the state of "Urtelome" to the recent shoot through five elementary processes (TEXT-FIG. 8): (1) planation, (2) overtopping, (3) syngenesis, (4) reduction and (5) incurvation. During these and other phylogenetic processes the exterior form does not change immediately, as does the genotype. Visible forms arise ontogenetically out of this changed genotype. According to the "Law of Recapitulation" the ontogenetically youngest stages relatively often recapitulate the phylogeny. In particular the Palaeontology, if statistically applied, offers sure proofs for the change of single features in phylogeny ("Merkmalsphylogenie").