What is neoteny?
Q: What is neoteny?
A: Neoteny is a type of heterochrony, which is a change in the timing of development in an animal. It involves slowing down bodily development but keeping sexual maturity at the same rate, resulting in a sexually mature juvenile or larval form.
Q: What is an example of neoteny?
A: The Axolotl salamander is a classic example of neoteny.
Q: Is it suggested that humans are an example of neoteny?
A: Yes, it has often been suggested that humans are an example of neotenous traits such as flattened face, broadened face, large brain, hairless body and face, small nose and teeth, reduction of brow ridge, thinness of skull bones and more.
Q: What does paedomorphosis mean?
A: Paedomorphosis means "like a child" and refers to the differences between adult humans and juvenile apes.
Q: What is K-selection?
A: K-selection is sometimes used to describe the evolutionary process associated with neoteny where species benefit from retaining juvenile features into adulthood.
Q: How does this list become the basis for modern man's larger groups and better transmission of experiences to later generations?
A: This second list includes longer periods for brain growth and learning; culture being passed on through generations; mating deferred to older ages than apes; longer life spans; origin of articulate speech; larger social groups - all contributing to modern man's larger groups and better transmission of experiences to later generations.
