prokinesis Zool.
(prəʊkaɪˈniːsɪs, -kiːn-)
[ad. G. prokinetik, f. Gr. πρό pro-2 + κῖνητικός moving: see kinetic a. (n.) and kinesis.]
A process, found in some birds and lizards, by which the upper bill or jaw may be raised relative to the cranium by rotation about a hinge anterior to the eyes.
| 1962 T. H. Frazzetta in Jrnl. Morphol. CXI. 287/2 It is here advocated that..Hofer's ‘prokinesis’ be modified to designate any kinetic joint anterior to the eyes. 1964 Ibid. CXIV. 3/1 The basic avian condition is prokinesis from which rhynchokinesis evolved. 1964, etc. [see rhynchokinesis]. 1973 Nature 11 May 73/1 Prokinesis and rhynchokinesis may have evolved independently in neognathous and palaeognathous birds, or rhynchokinesis may have evolved from some form of prokinesis. |
So prokiˈnetic a.
| 1960 Q. Rev. Biol. XXXV. 219/2 In view of the fact that there are so many differences in the actual operation of kinesis in the various orders [of birds], I doubt if the terms pro- and rhyncho-kinetic actually are morphologically meaningful. 1964 Jrnl. Morphol. CXIV. 4/2 The prokinetic condition is the most widespread and apparently the primitive condition in the class Aves. 1974 P. J. K. Burton Feeding & Feeding Apparatus in Waders ii. 35 An important feature of rhynchokinesis is that the pivots about which the two jaws move are relatively much further apart than in prokinetic species. |