anamorphosis

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anamorphosis (anamorphic growth) A developmental phenomenon in some Protura and Chilopoda in which the young do not possess the full, adult complement of body segments and legs on hatching; these are developed successively in later stages, after moulting. Centipedes that hatch with only part of the adult complement of segments take several years to reach sexual maturity. Compare EPIMORPHOSIS.

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