dimorphism
1
8.4
- noun
- /daɪˈmɔrfɪzəm/
- Specialized
:
dimorfismo
- The study of sexual dimorphism reveals how male and female individuals in some species can have vastly different physical traits.
- sexual dimorphism
- size dimorphism
Examples
-
Research shows that sexual dimorphism can influence mating preferences in various animal populations.
-
Sexual dimorphism in head horns in species such as Onthophagus taurus may have originated in this fashion.
Academic text (2005) -
In these statues, however, the sexual dimorphism is reversed.
Academic text (1990) -
Sexual horn dimorphism has multiple developmental and evolutionary origins.
Academic text (2005) -
But there is such a thing as paternity uncertainty that actually drives a lot of the sexual dimorphism between the two sexes.
Academic text (2013) -
Differing sizes of males and females within a species are termed sexual size dimorphism (SSD).
Academic text (2006) -
In many bird species, such as peacocks and peahens, sexual dimorphism is prominently displayed through their differing plumage.
Synonyms
6
9.6
When members of a group of living things have different forms because of differences in their genes
Two or more different forms in one species, often with different colors
How Variable
Surface Forms
Morphology
dimorphism = dimorphic (semi-transparent) = di + morph + ism
The sense is built compositionally from 'two' + 'form' + '-ism', but it is a technical biological term rather than a highly everyday transparent word.
Etymology
Dimorphism comes from the Greek parts di- 'two' and morph 'form' or 'shape'. When used for sex differences it means males and females are in 'two different forms', which is why one sex may be much brighter or larger than the other.