This process \u2013 a spectacular transformation in an animal\u2019s form or \u2018morphology\u2019 \u2013 produces dramatic differences between larvae and adults.<\/p>
What animals go through metamorphosis?<\/h2>
Metamorphosis is characteristic of insects<\/a> and amphibians<\/a>, but it\u2019s also found in specific groups. Flatfish are a clear case among vertebrates: a fish starts with two sides to its body \u2013 bilateral symmetry \u2013 but the right eye migrates to the left side and its dorsal fin becomes shorter as it transitions from a free-swimming larva to a \u2018benthic\u2019 or bottom-dwelling adult on the seafloor or river bed.<\/p> Similar phenomena occur in invertebrates. For example, adult echinoderms<\/a> have a benthic lifestyle and radial symmetry \u2013 as seen in five-armed starfish \u2013 but their larvae are bilaterally symmetrical, free-swimming plankton.<\/p> Insects have an exoskeleton<\/a>, which constrains size and shape, and must shed their rigid, outermost layer (moulting) and form a new one to grow. Primitive groups such as silverfish are \u2018ametabolous\u2019, meaning they don\u2019t transform and hatchlings are small versions of the wingless adults. More advanced insect groups, such as crickets and dragonflies<\/a>, are \u2018hemimetabolous\u2019, meaning they undergo partial metamorphosis \u2013 the adults mature from juvenile nymphs that lack parts such as wings and genitals.<\/p> Most (nearly 85 per cent) of insect species, including beetles<\/a> and flies<\/a>, are \u2018holometabolous\u2019, which means complete metamorphosis: a newly hatched larva is obviously distinct from the adult form and there\u2019s an inactive transition stage, the pupa. Butterflies<\/a>, for instance, emerge from a chrysalis after living as caterpillars with elongated bodies, \u2018prolegs\u2019 on the abdomen and large mandibles for chewing.<\/p> Like all amphibians, frogs<\/a> are semiaquatic creatures that use their moist skin as a respiratory organ. But while tadpoles have gills too, adults develop lungs. Over a few weeks, the larva\u2019s body also absorbs structures such as the tail before growing muscular back legs for jumping and a huge mouth to engulf prey. The gut, which is initially long to digest plant matter, gets shorter during metamorphosis.<\/p> Changes to breathing and locomotion are also seen in salamanders. Many of these amphibians are lizard-shaped as adults, but as larvae they have a flattened tail (a rudder and keel in water) that\u2019s lost once juveniles shift to life on land. One unusual species is the axolotl<\/a>, which is \u2018paedomorphic\u2019 \u2013 it becomes sexually mature but retains larval traits such as feathery gills<\/a>.<\/p>
Do insects go through metamorphosis?<\/h2>
What about amphibians?<\/h2>
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How does metamorphosis work?<\/h2>