Neosomy

Neosomy is the formation of new external structure in an active stage of an invertebrate, in a taxon that normally only changes during moulting. It occurs in nematodes and a wide range of arthropods, especially those with symbiotic lifestyles.

An organism that has undergone neosomy is a neosome, while a new external structure formed by neosomy is a neosomule.

Neosomy is similar to physogastrism (or physogastry) and the two phenomena are sometimes confused. However, physogastrism is usually defined as distension of the abdomen, without the growth of new cuticle.

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