dimorphism Definition
- 1the existence of two distinct forms of individuals within the same species or population, especially with respect to size, shape, or coloration
- 2the condition of having two different forms of mature individuals, especially males and females of the same species
Using dimorphism: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "dimorphism" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The sexual dimorphism in some bird species is striking, with males having bright colors and elaborate feathers.
Example
The presence of horns in male deer is an example of antler dimorphism.
Example
In some species of reptiles, temperature-dependent sex determination results in morphological dimorphism between males and females.
dimorphism Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for dimorphism
- bimorphism
- sexual dimorphism
Phrases with dimorphism
the condition where males and females of the same species exhibit different characteristics beyond the differences in their sexual organs
Example
The peacock's tail is a classic example of sexual dimorphism, with males having elaborate and colorful feathers while females have duller ones.
the condition where two or more distinct forms of a species coexist in different habitats or environments
Example
The snail-eating snake exhibits ecological dimorphism, with one form adapted to eating land snails and the other adapted to eating aquatic snails.
the condition where two or more distinct forms of a species occur during different seasons
Example
The Arctic fox exhibits seasonal dimorphism, with a white winter coat and a brown summer coat.
Origins of dimorphism
from Greek 'di-' meaning 'two' + 'morphē' meaning 'form'
Summary: dimorphism in Brief
Dimorphism [dahy-mawr-fiz-uhm] refers to the existence of two distinct forms of individuals within the same species or population, especially with respect to size, shape, or coloration. It can also refer to the condition of having two different forms of mature individuals, especially males and females of the same species. Examples include the sexual dimorphism in some bird species, antler dimorphism in deer, and morphological dimorphism in reptiles due to temperature-dependent sex determination. Other types of dimorphism include ecological dimorphism and seasonal dimorphism.
