dimorphism
1. The presence of one or more morphological differences that divide a species into two groups. Many examples come from sexual differences of particular traits, such as body size (males are often larger than females), plumage (male birds are usually more colourful than females), and types of flowers in dioecious plants. These result from sex-linkage of the genes coding for the particular trait. However, some dimorphism, such as the aerial or submerged leaves of some aquatic plants (e.g. water crowfoot), may not be sex-linked. See also sexual dimorphism.

2. See polymorphism.

dimorphism The presence of one or more morphological differences that divide a species into two groups. Many examples come from sexual differences of particular traits, such as types of flowers in dioecious plants. These result from sex-linkage of the genes coding for the particular trait. However, some dimorphisms, such as the aerial or submerged leaves of some aquatic plants (e.g. water crowfoot), may not be sex-linked.

dimorphism
1. The presence of one or more morphological differences that divide a species into two groups. Many examples come from sexual differences of particular traits, such as body size (males are often larger than females), or plumage (male birds are usually more colourful than females). See also SEXUAL DIMORPHISM.

2. See POLYMORPHISM.

dimorphism The presence of one or more morphological differences that divide a species into two groups. Many examples come from sexual differences of particular traits, such as body size (males are often larger than females), or plumage (male birds are usually more colourful than females). These result from sex-linkage of the genes coding for the particular trait. However, some dimorphisms, such as the colour-phases of some birds, may not be sex-linked.

dimorphism The existence of two distinctly different types of individual within a species. An obvious example is sexual dimorphism in certain animals, in which the two sexes differ in colouring, size, etc. Dimorphism also occurs in some lower plants, such as mosses and ferns, that show an alternation of generations.