| 释义 |
autotomy|ɔːˈtɒtəmɪ|
[f. auto-1 + -tomy.]
The casting off or ejection of some part or parts of the body as a reflex action peculiar to some animals when disturbed or in order to escape. Hence auˈtotomize v. intr., to practise autotomy; trans. to cast off; auˈtotomizing vbl. n.; auˈtotomous a., pertaining to or of the nature of autotomy.
1898Proc. Zool. Soc. 1897 911 The autotomous break occurs between femur and coxa. Ibid., The autotomy of the jumping-legs takes place at the femoro-trochanteric suture. 1899Q. Rev. July 281 The self-mutilation (autotomy) met with in lizards. 1901T. H. Morgan Regeneration 153 In this way the arm may be autotomized, piece by piece, to its very base. 1930Discovery May 166/1 An allied action is seen when the spider has cast a leg. It has lately been discovered that this familiar a[u]totomy is not, in arachnids, the reflex action it was formerly supposed to be. 1941J. Steinbeck Log in Sea of Cortez (1958) xxviii. 267 Two large, hairy grapsoid crabs..were..difficult to catch, and when caught, battled fiercely and ended up by autotomizing. |