Subadult
- Pronunciation
- /suhb-AD-uhlt/
- Category
- Developmental Stage
- Singular
- Subadult
- Plural
- Subadults
Definition
An immature individual that has not yet reached full adult development but has passed the juvenile stage.
Etymology
From Latin 'sub-', meaning 'under' or 'almost', and 'adultus', meaning 'grown' or 'mature'.
Example
In studies of spider populations, it is important to distinguish between adults, subadults, and juveniles.
Synonyms
- Immature
- Adolescent
Related Terms
Usage Notes
The term 'subadult' is often used to describe the period when an individual exhibits some adult characteristics but is not yet fully mature. This stage is common in both entomology and arachnology.