ecdysis
/ˈɛkdɪsɪs
/ /ɛkˈdʌɪsɪs /noun [mass noun] Zoology
The process of shedding the old skin (in reptiles) or casting off the outer cuticle (in insects and other arthropods).At ecdysis, the animal sheds the old exoskeleton while absorbing large quantities of water to stretch the new exoskeleton....
- In both groups, tissue loss must occur before a critical period to permit regeneration before the next ecdysis and proecdysial processes are suspended during regeneration in order to maintain proper timing of events.
- During terminal pleateau there are a series of large pulses of circulating ecdysteroids which appear to be necessary for successful ecdysis of the entire exoskeleton.
Derivatives
ecdysial
- Passonneau and Williams have described in the developing cecropia silkworm an 'ecdysial membrane' situated between pupal and adult cuticles.
- The ecdysial suture is the region of the arthropod exoskeleton that splits to allow the animal to emerge during ecdysis.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from Greek ekdusis, from ekduein 'put off', from ek- 'out, off' + duein 'put'.