zoea
/zoʊˈiːə/
noun
- The free-swimming larval stage of many crustaceans, such as crabs and shrimp, characterized by a distinct head and tail and often having spines.
- Under a microscope, the zoea looks like a small, transparent creature with long spines.
- The crab hatches as a tiny zoea and drifts in the ocean currents.
- Marine biologists study the zoea stage to understand crustacean development.
Synonyms