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BIO-Complexity
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This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Print) 2151-7444 - ISSN (Online) 2151-7444
Published by BIO-Complexity

[1 journal]

A Unified Model of Complex Specified Information
- Authors: George D Montañez
  Abstract: A mathematical theory of complex specified information is introduced which unifies several prior methods of computing specified complexity. Similar to how the exponential family of probability distributions have dissimilar surface forms yet share a common underlying mathematical identity, we define a model that allows us to cast Dembski’s semiotic specified complexity, Ewert et al.’s algorithmic specified complexity, Hazen et al.’s functional information, and Behe’s irreducible complexity into a common mathematical form. Adding additional constraints, we introduce canonical specified complexity models, for which one-sided conservation bounds are given, showing that large specified complexity values are unlikely under any given continuous or discrete distribution and that canonical models can be used to form statistical hypothesis tests, by bounding tail probabilities for arbitrary distributions.
  PubDate: 2018-12-14
  Issue No: Vol. 2018 (2018)
The Dependency Graph of Life
- Authors: Winston Ewert
  Abstract: The hierarchical classification of life has been claimed as compelling evidence for universal common ancestry. However, research has uncovered much data which is not congruent with the hierarchical pattern. Nevertheless, biological data resembles a nested hierarchy sufficiently well to require an explanation. While many defenders of intelligent design dispute common descent, no alternative account of the approximate nested hierarchy pattern has been widely adopted. We present the dependency graph hypothesis as an alternative explanation, based on the technique used by software developers to reuse code among different software projects. This hypothesis postulates that different biological species share modules related by a dependency graph. We evaluate several predictions made by this model about both biological and synthetic data, finding them to be fulfilled.
  PubDate: 2018-07-17
  Issue No: Vol. 2018 (2018)
Evolution's Waiting-Time Problem and Suggested Ways to Overcome It--A
Critical Survey
- Authors: James C LeMaster
  Abstract: In recent decades, severe waiting-time challenges have emerged for explanations of complex biological change within the Modern Evolutionary Synthesis. Theorists continue to propose natural mechanisms which purportedly shorten these waiting times, but do the arguments for these improvements take account of all relevant factors' Here we consider four proposed mechanisms for rapid evolution: symbiogenesis, the action of transposable elements, horizontal gene transfer, and the use of alternative evolutionary pathways. In all four cases we find that the claimed evolutionary benefit fails to take all aspects of the proposal into consideration. On the other hand, when laboratory processes analogous to evolution benefit from the teleological insights of the experimenters, we find that time no longer poses an insurmountable obstacle. By extension, it seems reasonable to propose teleology as the solution to biology’s waiting-time problem.
  PubDate: 2018-07-17
  Issue No: Vol. 2018 (2018)
Chrismooreia michaelbehei gen. et sp. nov. (Insecta: Odonata:
Asiopteridae), a new fossil damsel-dragonfly from the Early Jurassic of
England
- Authors: Günter Bechly
  Abstract: A new fossil damsel-dragonfly Chrismooreia michaelbehei gen. et sp. nov. (Insecta: Odonata: Asiopteridae) is described from the Early Jurassic of Charmouth in England. This fossil is the best preserved and first complete specimen of the Mesozoic family Asiopteridae, which was previously only known from isolated wings, and actually represents one of the most complete Liassic odonates known. Body characters are described for the first time and include compound eyes that meet dorsally, robust thorax, legs with short spines, and very long leaf-like cerci. The forewing venation features a short fusion of AA+Cu with MP near the tip of the discoidal cell, which is an absolutely unique character state within the order Odonata, here described for the first time. The wing venation shows a mixture of sphenophlebiid and asiopterid characters, with the latter characters dominating. The classification of Sphenophlebiidae is discussed and its synonymy with Asiopteridae is tentatively rejected, but not ruled out. As further addition to the Liassic odonate fauna from the Charmouth fossil locality, a specimen of Protomyrmeleon cf. brunonis is featured but not formally described as first record of the suborder Archizygoptera and the family Protomyrmeleontidae.
  PubDate: 2018-04-27
  Issue No: Vol. 2018 (2018)

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