Apheliotropism

/ˌæfəliːˈɒtrəpɪzəm/ noun

Definition

The biological tendency or behavior of an organism to move away from sunlight or avoid light.

Etymology

From apheliotropic + -ism (state or condition). This scientific term was developed in 19th-century biology to classify light-avoidance behaviors in organisms.

Kelly Says

Many sea creatures exhibit apheliotropism during the day but switch to seeking light at night—it's called diel vertical migration, and it's one of the largest animal migrations on Earth by total biomass.

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