Paralarva

Octopus paralarva
Squid paralarva: Psychroteuthis glacialis
Paralarva of Grimalditeuthis bonplandi
Grimalditeuthis bonplandi paralarva
Adult Grimalditeuthis bonplandi
Grimalditeuthis bonplandi adult

Paralarvae (sg.: paralarva) are young cephalopods in the planktonic stages between hatchling and subadult. This stage differs from the larval stage of animals that undergo true metamorphosis.[1] Paralarvae have been observed only in members of the orders Octopoda and Teuthida.[2]

The term was first introduced by Richard E. Young and Robert F. Harman in 1988.[2]

Paralarvae usually spend an uncertain amount of time in the plankton and then typically descend to an adult habitat in the mesopelagic or bathypelagic zone. Their population abundance is dependent on the variation of mortality rates during the planktonic period.

Chtenopteryx sicula paralarvae. Left: Two very young paralarvae. The circular tentacular clubs bear approximately 20 irregularly arranged suckers. Two chromatophores are present on each side of the mantle. Centre: Ventral, dorsal and side views of a more advanced paralarva. An equatorial circulet of seven large yellow-brown chromatophores is present on the mantle. Posteriorly the expanded vanes of the gladius are visible in the dorsal view. Right: Ventral and dorsal views of a very advanced paralarva.
  1. ^ "Paralarvae". Larval Images: Larval forms diverse and beautiful!. Archived from the original on 2018-08-16.
  2. ^ a b Richard Edward Young & Robert F. Harman (1988). ""Larva", "Paralarva", and "Subadult" in Cephalopod Terminology". Malacologia. 29 (1): 201–207. Retrieved August 13, 2011.