Glochidium - Wikipedia
The glochidium (plural glochidia) is a microscopic larval stage of some freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the families Unionidae and Margaritiferidae, the river mussels and European freshwater pearl mussels.
Glochidium | mollusk larva | Britannica
… the released larva, called a glochidium, often has sharp spines projecting inward from each valve. The larva attaches to either the gills or fins of passing fish and becomes a temporary parasite. Eventually, it leaves the fish, falls to the lake floor, and metamorphoses into an adult.
Glochidia (parasitic mollusc larvae) - Fish Pathogens
Glochidia are larval stage of mussels and clams, and can be a temporary parasitic inhabitant of fish. Some molluscs can lure fish close by exposing a piece of their mantle in the water and dose the fish with spawn when it strikes. The glochidia then encyst in the gill epithelium and grow, before dropping off within 10-30 days.
FMCS - Freshwater Mussels - Mollusk Conservation
Inside the female mussel, fertilized eggs develop into microscopic larvae known as glochidia. And this is where the fish hosts come into play – and things begin to get interesting.
Mussels and Clams (Bivalvia) - Molluscs
The glochidium is a parasitic larval form, that develops from the fertilised egg. The fertilisation usually takes place in the female's gills, that among some mussel species may even be transformed into breeding chambers.
Dwarf Wedge Mussel - NYSDEC - New York State Department of ...
By then, each egg has developed into a parasitic larvae called a glochidium. After release from the female, the glochidium attaches itself to a fish with the aid of a small hook-like appendage. Mussel glochidia are generally species-specific and will only live if they find the correct host.
Glochidium Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of GLOCHIDIUM is the larva of a freshwater mussel (family Unionidae) that develops as an external parasite on fish.
While superficially encysted on such hosts the tiny larval 'glochidium' transforms into a free-living juvenile mussel, more complex in internal structure but without any corresponding increase in external size.
FBI 111: 4.10.4. Glochidium - e-Krishi Shiksha
The glochidium larva is enclosed by two valves, each edge of which bears a hook. The shell valves cover a larval mantle, which bears four groups of sensory bristles. A rudimentary foot is present, to which is attached a long adhesive thread, the byssal thread.
Glochid - Wikipedia
Glochids or glochidia (sg.: "glochidium") are hair-like spines or short prickles, generally barbed, found on the areoles of cacti in the sub-family Opuntioideae. Cactus glochids easily detach from the plant and lodge in the skin, causing irritation upon contact.