Hypermetamorphosis
- Pronunciation
- /hi-per-met-uh-mor-foh-sis/
- Category
- Development
- Singular
- Hypermetamorphosis
- Plural
- Hypermetamorphoses
Definition
A type of development in which there is more than one distinct form of the larval stage.
Etymology
From Greek 'hyper-', meaning 'beyond', and 'metamorphosis', meaning 'transformation'.
Example
In Meloidae beetles, hypermetamorphosis involves a transition from mobile, foraging young larvae to sessile, feeding older larvae.
Related Terms
- Larval stages
- Development
- Meloidae
Usage Notes
Hypermetamorphosis is a complex life cycle with distinct morphological changes between larval stages.