poikilo-, poikil-; poecilo-, poecil-

(Greek: varied, irregular, mottled; many-colored, spotted)

poikilotherm (s) (noun), poikilotherms (pl)
An animal whose temperature varies with the temperature of the surrounding environment; allotherm; ectotherm; heterotherm: Invertebrates, fish, or amphibious animals are all considered to be poikilotherm.

To a degree, behavioral responses help to maintain stability of body temperature and to counter the loss of body heat.

poikilothermal, poikilothermic (adjective) (not comparable)
A reference to an animal that has a body temperature that fluctuates based on the temperature of the surrounding environment: exothermal; ectothermic; exothermic; heterothermic: Most animals, except mammals and birds, are considered to be poikilothermal or poikilothermic.
poikilothermy (s) (noun) (no pl)
Fluctuation in body temperature in response to temperature changes in the environment; heterothermy; cold-bloodedness; ectothermy: Poikilothermy is the condition of frogs, snakes, fish, etc. having a body temperature that responds to the temperature in their surroundings.
poikilothymia (s) (noun) (no pl)
Rare, extreme changes of mood: Poikilothymia isa mental condition characterized by unusual, strange, and bizarre variations of temper or state of mind.

Inter-related cross references, directly or indirectly, involving word units meaning "another, other, different, alternating, varied, changing": ali-; allo-; alter-; allelo-; hetero-; mut-; reciproc-; vari-.