metagenesis

2 definitions found

metagenesis - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Metagenesis \Met`a*gen"e*sis\, n. [Pref. meta- + genesis.]
     1. (Biol.) The change of form which one animal species
        undergoes in a series of successively produced
        individuals, extending from the one developed from the
        ovum to the final perfected individual. Hence, metagenesis
        involves the production of sexual individuals by nonsexual
        means, either directly or through intervening sexless
        generations. Opposed to monogenesis. See Alternate  generation
        , under Generation.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Biol.) Alternation of sexual and asexual or gemmiparous
        generations; -- in distinction from heterogamy.
        [1913 Webster]

metagenesis - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  metagenesis
      n 1: alternation of sexual and asexual generations [syn:
           metagenesis, digenesis]