从不同角度探索生物复杂性(biological complexity)的宏演化过程, 对深入理解生物的演化具有重要意义。 然而, 由于生物复杂性难以被定义和量化, 而生物复杂性的定义很大程度上又决定了生物系统演化趋势的分析模式, 因而难以对生物复杂性的演化趋势进行准确地描述。在生物分类多样性(taxonomic diversity)和形态差异性 (morphological disparity)的研究基础上, 尝试探索生物复杂性及其演化趋势, 并建立相应的应用模式, 将有助于推进生物宏演化机理研究的深入。鉴于这一研究方向并未受到广泛关注, 本文拟通过对生物复杂性的研究现状和发展趋势进行梳理和总结, 旨在深化对生物复杂性概念的理解, 推动其在古生物学和演化生物学研究中的应用和发展。

Exploring the macroevolutionary processes of biological complexity from different perspectives is of great significance to the in-depth understanding of biological evolution. However, to accurately describe the evolutionary trend of biological complexity is challenging since biological complexity is difficult to define and quantify, and the model of analysis of evolutionary trends in biological systems is largely determined by its definition Based on previous studies of taxonomic diversity and morphological disparity, it is helpful to promote the in-depth study of macroevolutionary mechanism of organisms by exploring the biological complexity and its evolutionary trend and establishing the corresponding application models. Given that this research direction has not received widespread attention, this paper aims to deepen the understanding of the concept of biological complexity by reviewing the current status and development of the research on biological complexity, with the goal of promoting its application and development in paleontology and evolutionary biology.

国家重点研发计划项目(2022YFF0800100)；国家自然科学基金创新群体项目(41921002)联合资助