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| ==Origin== | | ==Origin== |
| [[Latin]] ''larva'' a [[ghost]], spectre, hobgoblin; also, a [[mask]]. | | [[Latin]] ''larva'' a [[ghost]], spectre, hobgoblin; also, a [[mask]]. |
− | *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century 1768] | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century 1768] |
| ==Definitions== | | ==Definitions== |
| *1: A disembodied spirit; a ghost, hobgoblin, spectre. (now obsolete) | | *1: A disembodied spirit; a ghost, hobgoblin, spectre. (now obsolete) |
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| :b. Applied to the early immature form of [[animals]] of other classes, when the [[development]] to [[maturity]] involves some sort of [[metamorphosis]]. | | :b. Applied to the early immature form of [[animals]] of other classes, when the [[development]] to [[maturity]] involves some sort of [[metamorphosis]]. |
| ==Description== | | ==Description== |
− | A '''larva''' (Latin; plural ''larvae'') is a distinct [[Youth|juvenile]] form many [[animals]] undergo before [[metamorphosis]] into adults. Animals with indirect [[development]] such as insects, amphibians, or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnidarians cnidarians] typically have a larval phase of their life [[cycle]]. Larva is [[Latin]] for "[[ghost]]." | + | A '''larva''' (Latin; plural ''larvae'') is a distinct [[Youth|juvenile]] form many [[animals]] undergo before [[metamorphosis]] into adults. Animals with indirect [[development]] such as insects, amphibians, or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnidarians cnidarians] typically have a larval phase of their life [[cycle]]. Larva is [[Latin]] for "[[ghost]]." |
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| The larva's [[appearance]] is generally very [[different]] from the adult form (e.g. caterpillars and butterflies), and a larva often has [[unique]] [[structures]] and larval organs that do not occur in the adult form. A larva's diet can be considerably different from its adult form. | | The larva's [[appearance]] is generally very [[different]] from the adult form (e.g. caterpillars and butterflies), and a larva often has [[unique]] [[structures]] and larval organs that do not occur in the adult form. A larva's diet can be considerably different from its adult form. |
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− | Larvae are frequently [[adapted]] to [[environments]] separate from adults. For example, some larvae such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadpoles tadpoles] live exclusively in aquatic environments, but as adults can live outside water as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frogs frogs]. By living in distinct [[environments]], larvae may be given [[shelter]] from predators and reduce [[competition]] for resources with the adult population. | + | Larvae are frequently [[adapted]] to [[environments]] separate from adults. For example, some larvae such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadpoles tadpoles] live exclusively in aquatic environments, but as adults can live outside water as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frogs frogs]. By living in distinct [[environments]], larvae may be given [[shelter]] from predators and reduce [[competition]] for resources with the adult population. |
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− | Animals in the larval stage will consume [[food]] to fuel their [[transition]] into the adult form. Some [[species]] such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnacles barnacles] are immobile as adults, and use their mobile larvae form to [[distribute]] themselves. | + | Animals in the larval stage will consume [[food]] to fuel their [[transition]] into the adult form. Some [[species]] such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnacles barnacles] are immobile as adults, and use their mobile larvae form to [[distribute]] themselves. |
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− | The larvae of some [[species]] can become [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puberty pubescent] and not further develop into the adult form (for example, in some newts). This is a type of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoteny neoteny]. | + | The larvae of some [[species]] can become [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puberty pubescent] and not further develop into the adult form (for example, in some newts). This is a type of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoteny neoteny]. |
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− | It is a misunderstanding that the larval form always [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recapitulation_theory reflects the group's evolutionary history]. It could be the case, but often the larval stage has evolved secondarily, as in insects. In these cases the larval form might differ more from the [[group]]'s common [[origin]] than the adult form. | + | It is a misunderstanding that the larval form always [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recapitulation_theory reflects the group's evolutionary history]. It could be the case, but often the larval stage has evolved secondarily, as in insects. In these cases the larval form might differ more from the [[group]]'s common [[origin]] than the adult form. |
| ==See also== | | ==See also== |
| *'''''[[Pupa]]''''' | | *'''''[[Pupa]]''''' |
| *'''''[[Chrysalis]]''''' | | *'''''[[Chrysalis]]''''' |
| [[Category: Biology]] | | [[Category: Biology]] |