ECDYSIS

Ecdysis

Ecdysis is the moulting of the cuticula in many invertebrates. This process of moulting is the defining feature of the clade Ecdysozoa, comprising the arthropods, nematodes, velvet worms, horsehair worms, tardigrades, and Cephalorhyncha. Since the cuticula of these animals often forms an inelastic exoskeleton, it is shed during growth and a new, larger covering is formed. The remnants of the old, empty exoskeleton are called exuviae.

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ecdysis

Noun

  1. The shedding of an outer layer of skin in snakes and certain other animals; moulting
  2. The shedding of an exoskeleton, as in insects and crustaceans.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: ecdysis
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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