Larval Biology and Ecology

Larval Biology and Ecology is a specialized field within zoology that focuses on the life stage of an animal after hatching or birth and before it undergoes metamorphosis into its adult form. This discipline investigates the unique physiology, morphology, behavior, and development of larvae, which often occupy entirely different ecological niches than their adult counterparts. Researchers in this area study how environmental factors influence larval survival, growth, and dispersal, as well as their roles in food webs, their interactions with predators and competitors, and their overall contribution to population dynamics and community structure.

  1. Introduction to Larval Biology and Ecology
    1. Defining the Larval Stage
      1. Characteristics of Larvae
        1. Distinction from Embryonic and Juvenile Stages
          1. The Concept of Metamorphosis
            1. Complete Metamorphosis
              1. Incomplete Metamorphosis
                1. Ametabolous Development
              2. Diversity of Larval Forms Across Animal Phyla
                1. Marine Invertebrate Larvae
                  1. Molluscan Larvae
                    1. Trochophore Larvae
                      1. Veliger Larvae
                        1. Glochidium Larvae
                        2. Echinoderm Larvae
                          1. Pluteus Larvae
                            1. Bipinnaria Larvae
                              1. Auricularia Larvae
                                1. Doliolaria Larvae
                                2. Crustacean Larvae
                                  1. Nauplius Larvae
                                    1. Zoea Larvae
                                      1. Megalopa Larvae
                                        1. Phyllosoma Larvae
                                        2. Cnidarian Larvae
                                          1. Planula Larvae
                                            1. Actinula Larvae
                                              1. Ephyra Larvae
                                              2. Polychaete Larvae
                                                1. Trochophore Larvae
                                                  1. Nectochaeta Larvae
                                                  2. Bryozoan Larvae
                                                    1. Cyphonautes Larvae
                                                      1. Coronate Larvae
                                                    2. Insect Larvae
                                                      1. Holometabolous Larvae
                                                        1. Caterpillars
                                                          1. Maggots
                                                            1. Grubs
                                                            2. Hemimetabolous Nymphs
                                                              1. Aquatic Nymphs
                                                                1. Terrestrial Nymphs
                                                              2. Amphibian Larvae
                                                                1. Tadpoles
                                                                  1. Anuran Tadpoles
                                                                    1. Urodele Larvae
                                                                    2. Direct-developing Larvae
                                                                    3. Fish Larvae
                                                                      1. Yolk-sac Larvae
                                                                        1. Free-swimming Larvae
                                                                          1. Leptocephalus Larvae
                                                                        2. Life History Strategies
                                                                          1. Direct vs. Indirect Development
                                                                            1. Direct Development Patterns
                                                                              1. Indirect Development Patterns
                                                                                1. Evolutionary Trade-offs
                                                                                2. Nutritional Strategies
                                                                                  1. Lecithotrophy
                                                                                    1. Yolk Dependency
                                                                                      1. Advantages and Disadvantages
                                                                                      2. Planktotrophy
                                                                                        1. Plankton Feeding
                                                                                          1. Advantages and Disadvantages
                                                                                          2. Adelphophagy
                                                                                            1. Sibling Consumption
                                                                                              1. Adaptive Value
                                                                                              2. Osmotrophy
                                                                                                1. Dissolved Nutrient Absorption
                                                                                                  1. Mechanisms and Examples
                                                                                                  2. Mixed Nutritional Strategies
                                                                                                2. Evolutionary Significance of Larvae
                                                                                                  1. Theories on Larval Origins
                                                                                                    1. Intercalation Hypothesis
                                                                                                      1. Terminal Addition Hypothesis
                                                                                                        1. Larval Transfer Hypothesis
                                                                                                        2. Fossil Evidence of Larval Evolution
                                                                                                          1. Larvae as Dispersal Units
                                                                                                            1. Dispersal Potential
                                                                                                              1. Colonization Mechanisms
                                                                                                              2. Ecological Niche Separation
                                                                                                                1. Resource Partitioning
                                                                                                                  1. Reduction of Intraspecific Competition
                                                                                                                    1. Temporal Niche Separation