Quantitative studies in early ovule development. I. Intraindividual variation in Nothofagus antarctica

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Abstract
The multivariate nature of ovule development in N. antarctica (Forst.) Oerst. was examined. In addition to a general increase in variable values, there were concomitant increases in variable variances and changes of intercorrelations. An increase in variation and change of intercorrelations also occur with phylogeny. These results emphasize the common phenomenological basis of ontogeny and phylogeny. They also demonstrate the necessity of a multivariate view in studying both evolution and development. The quantitative changes that occur with ontogeny suggest that generalizations about development should be sought in the realm of the generation of complexity and organization, an area also addressed by a new evolutionary theory based on nonequilibrium thermodynamics.