plastoch
Plastoch is a term used in evolutionary biology and paleontology to describe the time interval between successive molts of an arthropod. Essentially, it represents the period during which an arthropod grows through a single instar, or developmental stage. This concept is particularly relevant when studying fossilized arthropods, as it allows researchers to estimate growth rates and life cycles from skeletal remains.
The plastochron, a unit of time often measured in days, is used to quantify this interval. By
Understanding the plastochron is also important for comparative studies, allowing scientists to compare the life histories