A trochophore () is a type of free-swimming planktonic marine larva with several bands of cilia.
By moving their cilia rapidly, they make a water eddy to control their movement, and to bring their food closer in order to capture it more easily.
Occurrence Trochophores exist as a larval form within the trochozoan clade, which include the entoprocts, molluscs, annelids (including echiurans and sipunculans) and nemerteans. Together, these phyla make up part of the Lophotrochozoa; it is possible that trochophore larvae were present in the life cycle of the group's common ancestor.
Etymology The term trochophore derives from the ancient Greek (), meaning "wheel", and () — or () —, meaning 'to bear, to carry', because the larva is bearing a wheel-shaped band of cilia.
Feeding habits Trochophore larvae are often planktotrophic; that is, they feed on other plankton species.
Life cycle
The example of the development of the annelid Pomatoceros lamarckii (family Serpulidae) shows various trochophore stages (image: D-F): D - early trochophore; E - complete trochophore; F - late trochophore; G - metatrochophore.
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