Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis is a biological process in which an animal undergoes a dramatic physical transformation between distinct life stages, most famously observed in butterflies and frogs.
Transforming so completely between life stages that the adult form often bears little resemblance to its earlier self, this process represents one of the most dramatic developmental transformations found anywhere in the animal kingdom.
Complete Versus Incomplete Metamorphosis
Insects undergo either complete metamorphosis, involving distinct egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages as in butterflies, or incomplete metamorphosis, with more gradual changes as in grasshoppers.
The Butterfly's Transformation
Butterflies undergo a particularly dramatic transformation, with the caterpillar's body largely breaking down and reorganizing within the chrysalis before emerging as a completely different-looking adult form.
Amphibian Metamorphosis
Frogs undergo significant metamorphosis from aquatic, gill-breathing tadpoles into lung-breathing adult frogs, developing legs and losing their tails during the transformation process.
An Evolutionary Advantage
Metamorphosis allows different life stages of the same species to occupy different ecological niches, reducing competition for resources between juvenile and adult forms of the same species.
