Pronunciation: [pˌiːdəmˈɔːfɪk] (IPA) 
Paedomorphic is a term that refers to organisms that retain juvenile characteristics into adulthood. The word is spelled with three syllables: pee-doh-mawr-fik. In phonetic transcription, this would be /pidəˈmôrfik/. The "ae" in "paedo" represents the "ee" sound as in "tree". The "o" in "morph" represents the "aw" sound as in "raw", while the "ph" represents the "f" sound. The word's final syllable, "-ic", is pronounced "ik".
Paedomorphic refers to a condition or characteristic in which an organism retains juvenile or immature features into adulthood. The term is commonly used in developmental biology and evolutionary science to describe the retention of traits typically associated with young individuals or earlier stages of development.
The concept of paedomorphism can be observed in various organisms, including insects, amphibians, and mammals. In these cases, certain features or proportions that are typically present only during the early stages of development persist into adulthood. This can include physical traits such as smaller body size, large eyes, or a reduced snout.
Paedomorphism can occur due to various genetic, environmental, or evolutionary factors. It may provide certain advantages or adaptations for the organism in its environment. For example, in the evolutionary context, paedomorphic traits can sometimes lead to increased reproductive success or enhanced survival rates.
The term paedomorphic is derived from the Greek words "pais" meaning "child" and "morphe" meaning "form." It is often used in contrast to the term "neoteny," which refers specifically to the retention of juvenile traits. While paedomorphism can encompass neoteny, it can also involve the retention of other immature features not necessarily related to juvenility.
Overall, paedomorphic describes the phenomenon in which an organism exhibits juvenile or immature characteristics into adulthood, allowing for the analysis of unique developmental and evolutionary patterns and processes.
The word "paedomorphic" is derived from two roots: "paedo" and "morphic".
The first part, "paedo", is derived from the Greek word "pais" (παῖς), meaning "child". This root is commonly used in words relating to children or childhood, such as "pediatric" (relating to the medical care of children) or "paedagogue" (a teacher or pedagog who guides a child's education).
The second part, "morphic", is derived from the Greek word "morphē" (μορφή), which means "form" or "shape". This root is commonly used in words relating to the structure or appearance of things, such as "metamorphosis" (transformation or change in form) or "morphology" (the study of form and structure).
