释义 |
neoteny Zool.|niːˈɒtənɪ| [ad. G. neotenie (J. C. E. Kollman 1884, in Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel VII. 391), f. Gr. νέος young + τείνειν to extend.] a. The retention of juvenile characteristics in adult life. b. The possession of sexual maturity by an animal still in its larval stage. Cf. neoteinia, -tenia (neo- 2).
1901H. Gadow in Cambr. Nat. Hist. VIII. iii. 65 These cases of neoteny are therefore instances of more or less complete retardation, or of the retention of partially larval conditions. 1920Conquest Apr. 278/2 Neoteny..here means the abnormal time-extension of youthful characters. 1932J. S. Huxley Probl. Relative Growth vii. 237 It is clear that changes in rate-genes could as easily lead to the opposite of recapitulation as to recapitulation. Many examples of neoteny would fall under this head. 1962D. Nichols Echinoderms xiv. 178 An interesting embryological phenomenon known as neoteny, in which, by the acceleration of development of the gonads, an animal becomes sexually mature while still retaining the larval body form. 1965New Scientist 14 Jan. 86/1 The retention of the puppy characteristic (neoteny) of floppy ears. 1971J. Z. Young Introd. Study Man xxxiv. 479 Such a change, technically called neoteny (or paedomorphosis), has in fact occurred often in the course of the evolution of diverse animals. Hence neoˈtenic, neˈotenous adjs., neˈotenously adv.
1901H. Gadow in Cambr. Nat. Hist. VIII. iii. 64 Not unfrequently typical neotenic and overgrown specimens occur side by side with others which have completed their metamorphosis. 1930G. R. de Beer Embryol. & Evol. 27 Some animals have become permanently committed to this neotenous state. 1932J. S. Huxley Probl. Relative Growth ii. 67 Workers [sc. termites] have been derived from soldiers by a suppression of their final development into the normal big-jawed type—..in fact, they are neotenic. 1957New Biol. XXIII. 103 Animals which breed as juveniles or larvae are described as ‘neotenous’. 1963R. P. Dales Annelids iii. 72 The fusiform typhloscolecids..were possibly derived neotenously from phyllodocid stock. 1965B. E. Freeman tr. Vandel's Biospeleology xiv. 233 All the troglobious urodeles are neotenous. They do not undergo metamorphosis and thus retain their larval characters throughout life. |