An early embryonic stage that represents the simplest form of a gastrula, with only primitive germ layers.
From Greek archi- (primitive, first) + gastrula (a small stomach). The term was coined in evolutionary embryology to describe the presumed most ancient form of the gastrula stage.
Scientists believe all complex animals passed through something like an archigastrula stage during evolution—it's a living fossil moment in development that echoes billions of years of ancestry.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.