Pronunciation: [ˌiːstɪvˈe͡ɪʃən] (IPA) 
The word "aestivation" is spelled with the letter "a" followed by "e" for the diphthong "ae", which is a common spelling in words derived from Latin. The "s" is pronounced "s" as in "see", and the "t" is pronounced "t" as in "top". The "i" is pronounced "ɪ" as in "sit", and the "v" is pronounced "v" as in "victory". The "a" is pronounced "eɪ" as in "way", and the final "tion" is pronounced "ʃən" as in "nation".
Aestivation is a biological term used to describe a state of dormancy or inactivity that certain animals enter during hot and dry periods. Also known as estivation, this phenomenon is a survival strategy typically observed in species living in arid or desert environments, where resources become scarce due to extreme heat or drought.
During aestivation, organisms undergo a period of reduced metabolic activity, limiting their energy expenditure and conserving water. This physiological adaptation enables them to withstand the harsh environmental conditions and survive until more favorable conditions return. Aestivation can occur at different levels, ranging from temporary inactivity to long-term suspended animation.
This behavioral and physiological response is commonly observed in certain amphibians, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates. For instance, certain minnow species aestivate by burying themselves in the mud to escape dehydration and regulate their body temperature. Some snails and slugs seal themselves within a mucous membrane, known as an epiphragm, to prevent water loss and maintain their vitality. Tortoises and other reptiles may retreat into protective burrows and slow down their metabolism until it is necessary to reemerge.
Aestivation serves as an adaptation to stressful environmental conditions, allowing organisms to conserve vital resources until the environment becomes suitable for their survival and reproduction. This phenomenon is essential for the persistence of species in regions where drought or extreme heat are recurrent challenges, and it grants them a higher chance of long-term survival in such demanding habitats.
See Estivation.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "aestivation" is derived from the Latin term "aestivationem", which comes from the verb "aestivare", meaning "to spend the summer". The Latin word "aestas" translates to "summer". In the context of biology, "aestivation" refers to a strategy used by some animals to endure extreme heat or dry conditions, often by entering a state of dormancy or reducing metabolic activity during the summer months.
