autotomy

• Fenómeno por el cual un animal se desprende voluntariamente de una parte de su cuerpo, como la cola de una lagartija o la pinza de un cangrejo, especialmente cuando es herido o atacado, para escapar o defenderse.

A noun referring to the spontaneous removal or casting off of a body part, such as the tail of a lizard or claw of a lobster, especially when the organism is injured or under attack.

incontable

1. Self-amputationC2formalscientific

   The spontaneous removal or casting off of a body part, such as the tail of a lizard or claw of a lobster, especially when the organism is injured or under attack.

   autotomía

   • Many lizards use autotomy to escape from predators by shedding their tails.
   • The crab performed autotomy, releasing its claw to distract the attacker.
   • Autotomy is a common defense mechanism in certain species of reptiles and arthropods.