ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we present models that are used to study form and variability among forms as represented by landmark data. In Part 1 of this chapter, we discuss the concept of variability among organisms, models that are used to characterize variability and the way in which these models relate to the methods used for analysis of form. Based on these considerations, we then discuss the landmark coordinate representation of form and present our method for characterizing form without reference to a coordinate system. The final portion of Part 1 of this chapter presents analysis of the example data sets presented in Chapter 1 using these methods and models. Part 2 of this chapter presents the formal statistical theory for characterizing a single population of forms using landmark data and presents the necessary computational algorithms for estimation of the mean and variance.
