Wednesday word: trophallaxis

[trellia-chan.livejournal.com]

trophallaxis: [trof-uh-lak-sis]

noun:

Trophallaxis is the the transfer of food, nutrients, and other secretions by mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-anus feedings within a community. This behavior can be found in colonies of insects such as bees, ants and termites, and it some species, is a form of communication as well as nutrition.  It is also the method by which gray wolves, vampire bats, and many species of birds feed their young.

etymology:  Coined in 1918 by entomologist William Morton Wheeler. Troph- + Greek állaxis "exchange"

Comments

[med_cat]

Interesting, never knew there was a word for this process; thanks!