By "exposed surfaces," we do not refer merely to the uppermost layer of organismal bodies; rather, we understand this term in a more comprehensive sense, encompassing any interface where psychological, biological, chemical, or physical interactions occur. The exposed surfaces of organisms interact with the perceptions of other organisms to form semiautonomous relational entities called semantic organs, which participate in biological reality as discrete, heritable evolutionary units. Their study integrates various levels of biological organization, including molecular-genetic underpinnings as well as behavioral, ecological, and biosemiotic causes and effects.
Our research agenda combines classical comparative approaches with modern methodologies and technological tools such as geometric morphometrics, spectrophotometry, and microscopy to understand the basic principles of the organization of exposed surfaces. Aware of the history of biological theories, we aim to present explanations that resist the trends of contemporary scientific fashion, thereby avoiding epistemological naivety. In short, our strategy is to integrate empirical, evidence-based research with theoretical insights drawn from the history of biology, leading to a continuous re-evaluation of the evolutionary theory widely accepted in the community. In doing so, we often start where classical neo-Darwinian narratives conclude.
Exposed surfaces of organisms reflect both recent functional roles and traces of internal dynamics that have accumulated over the history of their respective lineages. Once we recognize the formal value of these exposed surfaces, it becomes clear that the consequence of the evolution of life is not solely the replication, propagation, and transfer of genetic elements to subsequent generations. Instead, we are dealing with a broader notion of the propagation of meaningful relationships across various domains of biological reality.
Our work also conveys a clear message to a broader audience. Many today act as if nature holds no great secrets. Yet similar claims were made in the preceding centuries. By investigating the exposed surfaces of living beings, we aim to highlight that one of the greatest mysteries of the natural world lies constantly before our eyes (and other senses). We should shed the notion that what is 'invisible' is inherently more powerful or truthful than what is readily accessible to our senses. Only then can we gain a deeper understanding of the world around us, as well as ourselves.
Our research can be classified into two major lines:
Ecomorphology of animal exposed surfaces (led by Prof. Karel Kleisner): The research agenda focuses on the interpretation of the external appearance of organisms, with particular emphasis on the evolutionary significance of their exposed surfaces, which are regarded as semi-autonomous entities subject to biological evolution. This research encompasses a broad array of phenomena, ranging from color and structural ornaments in insects to variations in human faces. A portion of the work is dedicated to the theoretical, biological, biosemiotic, and philosophical exploration of these phenomena. An integral component consists of case studies that utilize geometric morphometrics and other multidimensional analytical methods to capture the shape and variability of the phenomena studied, modeling their manifestations in relation to changing abiotic, biotic, and socio-cultural conditions.
Biology of animal coloration (led by Dr. Jindrich Brejcha): This line of research explores the mechanisms, functions, and evolution of coloration in animals. The team studies how pigmentation, structural colors leads to produce animal colors. Moreover we also try to understand how and why the coloration of animals evolve in time.
Selected publications:
Kleisner, K. Semantic organs: The concept and its theoretical ramifications. Biosemiotics, 8 (2015): 367-379.
Brejcha, Jindřich, Petr Tureček, and Karel Kleisner. "Perception-driven dynamics of mimicry based on attractor field model." Interface Focus 11 (2021): 20200052.
Kleisner, Karel, Petr Tureček, S. Craig Roberts, Jan Havlíček, Jaroslava Varella Valentova, Robert Mbe Akoko, Juan David Leongómez, Silviu Apostol, Marco AC Varella, and S. Adil Saribay. "How and why patterns of sexual dimorphism in human faces vary across the world." Scientific reports 11 (2021): 5978.
Brejcha, Jindřich, José Vicente Bataller, Zuzana Bosáková, Jan Geryk, Martina Havlíková, Karel Kleisner, Petr Maršík, and Enrique Font. "Body coloration and mechanisms of colour production in Archelosauria: the case of deirocheline turtles." Royal Society open science 6 (2019): 190319.
Brejcha, Jindřich, and Karel Kleisner. "Turtles are not just walking stones: conspicuous coloration and sexual selection in freshwater turtles." Biosemiotics 9 (2016): 247-266.
Arbore, Roberto, Soraia Barbosa, Jindřich Brejcha et al. "A molecular mechanism for bright color variation in parrots." Science 386 (2024): eadp7710.