xenomorphism

English

Etymology

xeno- +‎ morph +‎ -ism

Noun

xenomorphism (countable and uncountable, plural xenomorphisms)

1. The process or result of taking a form that reflects the surrounding environment.
   • 1953, Raymond Cecil Moore, Curt Teichert, Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology: Protista 2. vols. 1-2. c1964, page 95:

     Xenomorphism in oysters remains restricted to the umbonal region of the right valve.

   • 1969, Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology - Issue 53, page 487:

     The form of the enigma basis is inherently functional; the details and form of the locus in the Mercenaria are responsive and the juxtaposition of the Mclellania basis with the Mercenaria produces xenomorphism in both.

   • 1970, Doklady of the Academy of Sciences of the U.S.S.R.:

     The xenomorphism of sylvite is consistent with the fact that even after the complete solidification of halite this mineral must have ...

   • 1975, E.J. Grill, Geology of Central Badakhshan and Surrounding Countries, page 200:

     Without change in the percentage of the other components, there is a structural variation, that is a general xenomorphism.

   • 1981, Arthur James Boucot, Robert S. Carney, Principles of Benthic Marine Paleoecology, page 102:

     The importance of xenomorphism and impressions for the paleoecologist is that they reveal the presence of certain soft-bodied organisms that may have served as substrates and have been critical to the establishment of communities.

   • 1988, D. B. Quayle, Pacific oyster culture in British Columbia - Issue 218, →ISBN, page 77:

     If an oyster is attached to a solid object, the left or lower valve will follow the contour of that object and this is called xenomorphism (Fig. 73).