Eumerism

/ˈjuːmərɪzəm/ noun

Definition

In biology, variation or segmentation of an organism's body into distinct, similar parts or units (a form of metamerism).

Etymology

From Greek 'eu' (good/true) + 'meros' (part) + '-ism' (state or condition), referring to the proper or true division of body parts into segments.

Kelly Says

Eumerism is what makes worms, insects, and millipedes have those distinctive body segments—each segment is essentially a repeat of the previous one, which is why biologists call it 'true segmentation' and it's one of nature's most successful body plans.

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