counter-adaptation
noun
biologyspecialized(alsocounteradaptation)uk/ˌkaʊn.tər.æd.əpˈteɪ.ʃən/us/ˌkaʊn.t̬ɚ.æd.əpˈteɪ.ʃən/[C]
anadaptation(= aslightchangeto alivingthing thathappensovertimeso it cancontinuetoexistin aparticularenvironment)as areactionto anadaptationby anotherlivingthing in the sameenvironment:
Behaviouralchangemayreflecta counter-adaptation by thehostinresponseto aparasite.
[U]
theprocessin which alivingthingadapts(=changesslightlyovertimeto beabletocontinuetoexistin aparticularenvironment)as areactionto anotherlivingthing in the sameenvironmentadapting:
Astimegoes on, some of theinvadingspecies'populationmay beeliminatedby counter-adaptation.
- Counter-adaptations ofpreyarenumerousandincludemimicry,escapeflights,weaponsofdefence,activedefenceandtoxin.
- Certainstrategies, such as counter-adaptations againstpredators, maythereforehaveevolvedtominimizethisriskof beingeaten.
- Newspeciesmay come up againstpreythat have no counter-adaptations totheirhuntingstrategies.
- It is only incertaincircumstancesthatcontinualcounter-adaptation willovercomethesedisadvantages.
Adapting and modifying
- acclimate
- acclimation
- acclimatization
- acclimatize
- accommodate
- ambidextrous
- amendment
- chameleon
- change with/keep up with/move with the timesidiom
- configure
- flex
- pliant
- pliantly
- putsomethingback
- putsomething/someoneforward
- reacclimatize
- unadapted
- unamended
- writesomeoneout ofsomething
- Zelig