Definition
paedomorphosis
noun
- the retention of juvenile or larval characteristics in an adult organism; neoteny.
Usage: biology; also spelled neomorphosis in some contexts
Examples
- Paedomorphosis in axolotls allows them to retain their aquatic larval form throughout their lives.
- The evolutionary process of paedomorphosis can result in organisms that appear perpetually young.
- Some scientists study paedomorphosis to understand how developmental timing affects species evolution.
- Paedomorphosis is common in certain amphibian species that fail to undergo complete metamorphosis.