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“autotomy”
autotomy, autotomic
1. The spontaneous casting off of a limb or other body part, such as the tail of certain lizards or the claw of a lobster, especially when the organism is injured or under attack.
2. The separation of a body part.
3. The self-amputation of a damaged or trapped appendage.
4. The performance of surgery upon oneself.
2. The separation of a body part.
3. The self-amputation of a damaged or trapped appendage.
4. The performance of surgery upon oneself.
This entry is located in the following unit:
auto-, aut-
(page 21)
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“autotomy”
autotomy
The process by which a limb can be voluntarily shed if grabbed by a predator.
It is found in spiders and grasshoppers, where the leg is shed by the sharp contraction of muscles acting on a special fracture point or area of weakness.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Insects, General Applicable Terms
(page 2)