Neoteny
- Pronunciation
- /nē-o-ten-ē/
- Category
- Development
- Singular
- Neoteny
- Plural
- Neotenies
Definition
The retention of juvenile characteristics in adults. In insects, it can result in adult morphology resembling that of a larva.
Etymology
Example
In some insects, neoteny results in adult stages that morphologically resemble their larval stages.