Achaeta

/ˌækiːˈtə/ noun

Definition

A condition or state of lacking setae, which are hair-like or bristle-like structures found on many animals.

Etymology

From Greek a- (without) and chaeta (hair or bristle). Medical and biological term combining Greek roots to describe absence of these structures.

Kelly Says

Some parasitic worms deliberately lost their setae through evolution because when you're living inside a host, having bristles actually makes you easier to find and attack by the immune system—sometimes less is more in survival.

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