The main difference between neoteny and paedogenesis is that neoteny is the process of suspending the physiological development of an organism, whereas paedogenesis is the process of reproduction of an organism without attending physical maturity.
Neoteny and paedogenesis are two types of processes in which physiological development is slow. Both processes involve sexual development.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Neoteny
– Definition, Structure, Function
2. What is Paedogenesis
– Definition, Structure, Function
3. Similarities Between Neoteny and Paedogenesis
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Neoteny and Paedogenesis
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Neoteny, Paedogenesis
What is Neoteny
Neoteny or juvenilization is the slow development of the physiological or somatic characteristics in the development of an organism. It is also common in modern humans in comparison to primates. Paedogenesis or progenesis is a type of neoteny in which the development of sexual characteristics is accelerated. Typically, both neoteny and progenesis result in paedomorphism, having the form of children. Therefore, neoteny results in the retention of young characteristics in adults. It is important in evolutionary developmental biology. Most importantly, neoteny occurs in animals.
Figure 1: Neoteny
Furthermore, neoteny in humans results in slowing the development of the body. Generally, it keeps characteristics such as a large head, flat face, and relatively short arms. In human evolution, neoteny characteristics are important in sexual selection. However, neoteny allows human capacities such as emotional communication. In comparison, the presence of relatively large noses and long arms are not neoteny characteristics. Instead, they are paramorphic characteristics.
What is Paedogenesis
Paedogenesis is accelerated sexual development. Generally, sexual development is the process of developing physical changes in the body during maturation. It is also called puberty. However, in paedogenesis, sexual characteristics occur in larval stages. Paedogenesis is the achievement of reproductive development without attaining physical development. It is a part of developmental biology. Paedogenesis occurs due to climatic or environmental conditions. It occurs in amphibians as well as in some insects.
Figure 2: Paedogenic Adult
Moreover, gall midge flies having young eggs is an example of paedogenesis. In addition, some flukes develop sexual characteristics in larvae. Therefore, the type of reproduction in paedogenesis is parthenogenetic in nature. Eventual maturation or metamorphosis develops the parent organism into an adult.
Similarities Between Neoteny and Paedogenesis
- Neoteny and paedogenesis are two types of processes in which the physiological development of an organism is slow.
- But their sexual development is accelerated.
Difference Between Neoteny and Paedogenesis
Definition
Neoteny refers to the retention of juvenile features in the adult animal, while paedogenesis refers to a type of neoteny where sexual development is accelerated.
Significance
Neoteny is a type of paedomorphism while paedogenesis is important in developmental biology.
Importance
In neoteny, the retention traits can be seen in adults previously seen in the young, while paedogenesis is the attainment of sexual maturity at the larval stage of the life cycle.
Fertilization
Moreover, neoteny undergoes fertilization, while paedogenesis undergoes parthenogenesis.
Occurrence
Neoteny occurs in animals, while paedogenesis occurs in amphibians and some insects.
Conclusion
In brief, neoteny and paedogenesis are two types of uncommon development of physiology in animals. Generally, neoteny is the retention of juvenile features in animals. It is also a type of paedomorphism. Generally, it is the retention of previous traits seen in young adults. In addition, neoteny undergoes fertilization. It mainly occurs in animals. In comparison, paedogenesis is the acceleration of sexual development seen in amphibians and insects. It is a part of developmental biology. However, it involves the development of sexual characteristics in larval stages. But paedogenesis undergoes parthenogenesis. Therefore, the main difference between neoteny and paedogenesis is the type of development.
References:
- Neoteny – Biological. Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA).
- Paedogenesis. Encyclopædia Britannica.
Image Courtesy:
- “Heterochrony.” By Ian Alexander – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
- “Notophthalmus perstriatus: Striped Newt” By Todd Pierson – Own Work (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) via Flicker
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