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Zooplankton

UTAS Home > IMAS Home > Image Key > Annelida >  Trochophora

Trochophora

Size

  • Up to 0.5 mm.

Description

  • Typical larva of polychaetous annelids.

Distinguishing characteristics

  • Ciliary band called the prototroch.
  • Circumferential band of cilia called the metatroch (posteriorly borders mouth region).
  • Ciliated region between the two bands is called the food groove.

Distribution

  • Temperate.

Ecology

  • Prototroch is used for locomotion and feeding.