Final answer:
Metamorphosis is the process where an adult animal looks distinctly different from its larval stage, as seen in insects and amphibians. Species may undergo complete or incomplete metamorphosis, with varying feeding habits and environments between stages to reduce resource competition. This biological transformation allows animals to efficiently adapt to different life stages and habitats.
Step-by-step explanation:
Metamorphosis in Animals
The phenomenon where an adult emerges and seems completely different from its larval form is termed metamorphosis. This process occurs in various animals, including insects and amphibians. Complete metamorphosis is seen in species like butterflies, where the life cycle includes distinct stages - egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult, with each looking very different from the others. The larvae typically have different diets from adults, minimizing competition for food resources.
Frogs exemplify amphibian metamorphosis, transitioning from a fish-like tadpole to a legged adult frog. This drastic change allows amphibians to adapt to different environments and life stages efficiently. Fish larvae also exhibit changes; they hatch with a yolk sac and gradually undergo metamorphosis to reach adult form. In contrast, arthropods such as grasshoppers show incomplete metamorphosis, where the younger stages resemble adults but lack fully developed features like wings and sex organs until the final molt.
Finally, among arthropods, while some species like spiders hatch into a form that resembles a small adult and grow without a larval phase, others like moths and butterflies go through a complete metamorphosis within a cocoon, markedly transforming from a larva to an adult.