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American Zoologist 1988 28(1):231-236; doi:10.1093/icb/28.1.231
© 1988 by The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology
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Hypotheses Derived from Morphological Data: When and How They Are Useful1

DOUGLAS B. WEBSTER and MOLLY WEBSTER
Departments of Otorhinolaryngology and Anatomy, Kresge Hearing Research Laboratory, South Louisiana State University Medical Center 2020 Gravier St., New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kresge Hearing Research Laboratory of the South Louisiana State University Medical Center 2020 Gravier St., New Orleans, Louisiana 70112

SYNOPSIS. This paper discusses the validity of hypotheses based on morphological data,and distinguishes between hypotheses, which are testable, and speculation, which is not. Specific examples from the mammalian auditory system are examined: a recently evolved, highly derived character (enlarged middle ears in desert rodents); and an older, more general character (the inner and outer hair cells of the mammalian organ of Corti). It is concluded that morphologically-based hypotheses are powerful and important when accompanied by experimental data.


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