Determinate growth is finite. Animals can either grow indeterminately (throughout life), or grow determinately, ceasing at maturity. THE ECOLOGY OF INDETERMINATE GROWTH IN ANIMALS Kenneth P. Sebens Marine Science Center, Northeastern University, Nahant, Massachusetts 01908 INTRODUCTION Body size as an ecologically important characteristic has received significant attention in recent years (15, 93, 143, 148). Hairs with determinate growth are subject to wear and must be replaced periodically—a process termed molt. Indeterminate growth can also refer to sequential flowering that starts at the bottom and on the sides of a plant, and then moves in and up. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics Vol. The growth strategy of a species influences many key aspects of its life-history. Author information: (1)Centre for Nutrition Modelling, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of In mammals, continued weight gain after maturity is clearly distinguishable from continued skeletal growth (indeterminate growth). Other articles where Indeterminate growth is discussed: mammal: Skin and hair: Continuous growth of hair (indeterminate), as seen on the heads of humans, is rare among mammals. The main stem will just keep on growing. THE ECOLOGY OF INDETERMINATE GROWTH IN ANIMALS. Think giant sequoias and other redwood trees. Sharks aren't the only animal that keeps growing. Powell CD(1), López S(2), Dumas A(3), Bureau DP(4), Hook SE(5), France J(6). Animals can either grow indeterminately (throughout life), or grow determinately, ceasing at maturity. In mammals, continued weight gain after maturity is clearly distinguishable from continued skeletal growth (indeterminate growth). Lizards, snakes, amphibians, and coral all continue to grow until they die. These reviews however, deal primarily with higher vertebrates where determination of adult size has a large … Background: The growth strategy of a species influences many key aspects of its life-history. Mathematical descriptions of indeterminate growth. Indeterminate growth doesn’t stop. The first coat of a young mammal is referred to as the juvenal pelage, which typically is… It usually means the main stem ends with a flower or other reproductive structure.