Heterochronicity
Heterochronicity refers to the occurrence of developmental events at different times in individual organisms or in populations. It is often discussed in the contexts of evolutionary biology and developmental psychology, where variations in timing can influence anatomical and behavioral traits, impacting species adaptation and survival.
Heterochronicity meaning with examples
- In evolutionary biology, heterochronicity can explain how small changes in developmental timing may lead to significant morphological differences between species, illustrating the concept of allometric growth.
- The research team focused on heterochronicity in amphibians, identifying how varying hormonal responses result in altered metamorphic timing, which ultimately affects their survival rates in changing climates.
- Observations in human development reveal that heterochronicity may be a contributing factor in the variability of cognitive and physical abilities in children, influencing educational strategies and interventions.
- In their study of flowering plants, botanists noted heterochronicity as certain species bloomed earlier or later in the season, providing insights into their reproductive strategies and adaptability to environmental changes.
- Ecologists often consider heterochronicity when examining predator-prey relationships, as differing reproductive timings can lead to mismatches in population dynamics, significantly affecting ecosystem balance and health.
Heterochronicity Synonyms
adaptive timing
age polarity
biological timing
chronobiology
chronological differences
chronological heterogeneity
chronometric variation
developmental timing
evolutionary timing
growth timing
heterochrony
life cycle variation
maturation timing
maturity timing
ontogenetic timing
temporal dynamics
temporal variation
timing disparity
timing heterogeneity
timing variation
Heterochronicity Antonyms
absolute timing
aligned development
coincidence
concurrent events
concurrent timing
congruence
constancy
homogeneity
parallel evolution
regularity
sameness
simultaneity
stability
synchronized growth
synchronous development
temporal uniformity
timing consistency
timing equality
unified timing
uniformity
