Archimorphic

/ˌɑːrkɪˈmɔːrfɪk/ adjective

Definition

In biology, relating to a primitive or ancestral body form; having the characteristics of an early developmental stage.

Etymology

From Greek 'archi-' meaning 'primitive' or 'ancestral' and 'morphe' meaning 'form,' used in evolutionary and developmental biology to describe early or basic body plans.

Kelly Says

Scientists use 'archimorphic' to describe creatures that look like they stopped evolving—hagfish and lampreys are considered archimorphic because their body plans haven't changed much in hundreds of millions of years.

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