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poikilotherm
poi·ki·lo·therm / poiˈkēləˌ[unvoicedth]ərm; -kil-/ • n. Zool. an organism that cannot regulate its body temperature except by behavioral means such as basking or burrowing. Often contrasted with homeotherm; compare with cold-blooded. DERIVATIVES: poi·ki·lo·ther·mal / ˌpoiˌkēləˈ[unvoicedth]ərməl; -ˌkil-/ adj. poi·ki·lo·ther·mic / ˌpoiˌkēləˈ[unvoicedth]ərmik; -ˌkilə-/ adj. poi·ki·lo·ther·my n. |
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"poikilotherm." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "poikilotherm." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-poikilotherm.html "poikilotherm." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-poikilotherm.html |
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poikilotherm
poikilotherm (exotherm) Organism that regulates its body temperature by behavioural means, e.g. by basking or burrowing. Such animals are often termed ‘coldblooded’, although when active their body temperature is little different from that of homoiothermic (‘warm-blooded’) animals. Poikilothermy is characteristic of lower vertebrates (fish, amphibians, and reptiles), but not of birds and mammals.
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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "poikilotherm." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "poikilotherm." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-poikilotherm.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "poikilotherm." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-poikilotherm.html |
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poikilotherm
poikilotherm(exotherm) An organism whose body temperature varies according to the temperature of its surroundings. Fish are poikilotherms. Compare ectotherm. See also endotherm and homoiotherm.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "poikilotherm." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "poikilotherm." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-poikilotherm.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "poikilotherm." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-poikilotherm.html |
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poikilotherm
poikilotherm (exotherm) An organism whose body temperature varies according to the temperature of its surroundings. Fish are poikilotherms. Compare ECTOTHERM.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "poikilotherm." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "poikilotherm." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-poikilotherm.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "poikilotherm." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-poikilotherm.html |
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