Computer simulation of early embryonic development

Abstract

A simple model, formulated in terms of elementary geometry, is presented, describing the early development of Lymnaea stagnalis. It includes the main morphogenetic processes active at this stage: cell division, cell flattening and differentiation. Though the model has been designed primarily to fit the data of Lymnaea, it appears to have a more general validity: without altering its essential features it may be adapted to other species simply by changing the values of certain parameters. As an example, some results on Podarke obscura are given at the end of the paper