neotenic


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Related to neotenic: neoteny

ne·ot·e·ny

 (nē-ŏt′n-ē)
n.
1. The retention of juvenile characteristics in the adults of a species, as among certain amphibians. Also called pedomorphism, pedomorphosis.
2. The attainment of sexual maturity and subsequent reproduction by an organism still in its larval stage. Also called pedogenesis2.

[New Latin neotenia : neo- + Greek teinein, ten-, to extend; see tenesmus.]

ne′o·ten′ic (nē′ə-tĕn′ĭk, -tē′nĭk), ne·ot′e·nous (-ŏt′n-əs) adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Adj.1.neotenic - of or relating to or characterized by neoteny; "neotenic development"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
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Mickey Mouse's main synergetically interacting elements are (1) neotenic features (large ratio of head-size-to-body and eye-size-to-face, high-pitched voice, asexual); (2) infantile clothing; (3) happy facial expression; (4) mischievous aplomb; and (5) good intelligence for a mouse, especially a young one {a}{d}{j> {p>.
They are neotenic, giving birth to motile male and female offspring that crawl and spring on plants and animals seeking suitable insect hosts to enter.
Gallese focuses on the neotenic character of individuals to lend further support to the importance of an embodied approach, particularly as this framework allows us to better understand nonpropositional forms of communication and social understanding.
The neotenic amphibians are species that present a phyletically truncated development with absence of a complete metamorphosis, as well known in Ambystomatidae family (Reilly & Brandon, 1994), this species of ambystomatidae like mole salamanders retaining larval characteristics, what has been described as an adaptation to aquatic life (Reilly & Brandon).
Estren states, "human attraction to neotenic animals relates directly to nurturing and species-propagating instincts for our own kind and also explains why, for example, we find a penguin's waddle amusingly endearing" (p.
These eels are known only from leptocephalus larvae, but some have been found with developing eggs, leading to speculation that the species is either neotenic or the adult stage is extremely short-lived (Eschmeyer and others 1983; Mecklenburg and others 2002).
Orbicule production by tapetal cells in a secretory metabolic phase can be interpreted as a primitive, possibly neotenic feature in flowering plants since orbicules occur also in bryophytes, pteridophytes and gymnosperms.
dumerilli is neotenic and completely aquatic throughout its life.
That these neotenic changes resulted from genetically controlled alterations in friendly behavior may suggest that to humans, facial beauty signals an individual's relatively greater level of approachability and sociability.
Ultrastructure of previtellogene oocytes in the neotenic cave salamander Proteus anguinus anguinus (Amphibia, Urodela, Proteidae).
Eurycea naufragia is a permanently neotenic species, and most salamanders we observed were adults (we rarely encountered juveniles in our surveys).