glochidium
/ɡləʊˈkɪdɪəm
/noun (plural glochidia) Zoology
A parasitic larva of certain freshwater bivalve molluscs, which attaches itself by hooks and suckers to the fins or gills of fish.The glochidia larvae of some freshwater mussels can be serious parasites of fish, and some marine bivalves bore through wood, causing damage to wooden ships, pilings, and other wood structures....
- Unionid embryos spend the first stage of development in the marsupial portion of the female unionid's gills, where they develop into glochidia, the parasitic stage.
- Zygotes develop within the mantle cavity and glochidia larvae are released in the early summer.
Origin
Late 19th century: modern Latin, based on Greek glōkhis, glōkhid- 'arrowhead'.
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