BioConcepts

ecomorphologyecomorphologie (fr.); Ökomorphologie (ger.)

• The study of the relationship between the morphology of organisms and their ecology. Also: the relationship itself. (OED 2011)
  category ecology

  1898

  [ecological morphology

  MacMillan, C. (1898). Observations on the distribution of plants along shore at lake of the woods. Minnesota Bot. Stud. 1, 949-1023: 950.]

  1899

  [Die ökologische Morphologie, Anatomie und Pflanzengeographie […] hat zu zeigen, wie die ganze Organisation einer Pflanze gewissermassen den Stempel der sie beherrschenden Faktoren zur Schau trägt

  Engler, A. (1899). Die Entwickelung der Pflanzengeographie in den letzten hundert Jahren und weitere Aufgaben derselben. Wissenschaftliche Beiträge zum Gedächtniss der hundertjährigen Wiederkehr des Antritts von Alexander von Humboldt’s Reise nach Amerika: 172.9]

  1948

  [The programme of an ecological morphology does not, however, only comprise the general question: does the structure of an organ, with regard to its functions, fit the surroundings, but it also comprises the more profound questions: 1. By what qualities and characteristics of the structure and 2. to what degree does the structure of an organ, with regard to a certain function, fit the surroundings where this function is performed.

  Klaauw, C.J. van der (1948). Ecological studies and reviews, IV. Ecological morphology. Bibliotheca Biotheoretica 4, 27-111: 39.]

  1951

  Ecomorphologie

  Homès, J.L., Duvigneaud, P., Balasse, E. & Dewit, J. (1951). Ecomorphologie de la feuille dans une série écophylétique du genre Parinari. Bull. Soc. Roy. Bot. Belg. 84, 83-90; Kiwak, C. & Duvigneaud, P. (1952). Étude sur l’écomorphologie des graminées des formations herbeuses du Bas-Congo. Bull. Soc. Roy. Bot. Belg. 86, 91-105.

  1960

  As homology is basic to phylogeny, so analogy is basic to ecomorphology, the study of (a) the convergent effect upon basically different structures of adaptation to a common or similar environment, and of (b) the divergent effects upon basically similar (homologous) structures of adaptation to different environments.

  Smith, H.M. (1960). Evolution of chordate structure: 3.