opsiblastic

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ὀψέ (opsé, “late”) + -blastic.

Adjective

opsiblastic (not comparable)

1. (biology) Exhibiting a period of dormancy before starting to develop.
   • 1982, Sybil P. Parker, Synopsis and Classification of Living Organisms - Volume 1, page 857:

     Opsiblastic ova with retarded development occur in freshwater forms, although initiation of the process is little understood .

   • Ellsworth C. Dougherty, The Lower Metazoa (page 474)

     If an opsiblastic egg is produced by an individual, it is usually the last oviposition by that animal even if it is also the first.

   • 2010, James H. Thorp, Alan P. Covich, Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater Invertebrates, page 167:

     Opsiblastic eggs are thick-shelled, a little larger than tachyblastic eggs, and are very resistant to freezing and drying.