English Explanatory Dictionary

Allen's rule

English dictionary entry

Meanings

name
  1. An ecogeographic principle broadly stating that animals adapted to cold climates have relatively short limbs. Specifically, homeothermic animals in hot climates have low volume-to-surface ratios, and homeothermic animals in cold climates have high volume-to-surface ratios, due to thermal adaptation.

Word forms

Allen's rule

Etymology

Formulated by Joel Asaph Allen in 1877.

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