Definition of paedomorphosis in English:
paedomorphosis
(US pedomorphosis)
noun ˌpiːdə(ʊ)ˈmɔːfəsɪsˌpiːdə(ʊ)mɔːˈfəʊsɪsˌpēdəˈmôrfəsəs
Zoology see neoteny
Example sentencesExamples
- By comparison to other squamates, this morphology indicates skeletal paedomorphosis that is common in secondarily marine reptiles.
- Germ layers, homology, larval evolution, larval origins of the vertebrates, paedomorphosis and heterochrony underpinned the origins of evolutionary embryology, and so I discuss each of these topics.
- At a higher level, it is considered that vertebrates might have arisen from the pelagic larva of a tunicate-like organism by paedomorphosis, causing the retention of the larval characters into the adult phase.
- This later result indicates that expression of paedomorphosis is associated with genetic changes that alter developmental timing.
- Facultative paedomorphosis occurs in most species, though individuals in these species usually metamorphose fully into terrestrial adults with robust bodies and limbs, broad heads, and laterally-flattened tails.
Origin
1920s: from paedo- + -morph + -osis.