Eidonomy

Eidonomy (from the Greek  εἶδος eidos = appearance, shape, image and νομή, nomé , "distribution") is the study of the external shape of an organism , so it is, like anatomy (study of the internal shape), a sub-area of morphology .

In eidonomy, the shape, size and color of entire organisms are considered, as well as their partial structures such as e.g. B. body attachments, shell formations, segmentations, body openings and the like. The eidonomy thus contributes to the establishment of life-form types , since these characteristics are mostly closely related to the way of life of the organisms. In the comparative morphology it provides statements on homologies and phylogenetic development ( phylogeny ).

literature

Lexicon of Biology. Volume 4, Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg, 2000 ISBN 3-8274-0329-4