Zoea
Zoea are the free swimming larvae of aquatic decapod crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters. Zoea swim using thoracic appendages and this differentiates them from earlier and later larval forms of the same species.
Zoea form a large and important component of plankton.

A photograph of the zoea of Homarus gammarus.
Photograph by Hans Hillewaert licensed under Creative Commons.
Other names for (or types of) Zoea include:
- Zoaea
Related terms
Related groups of terms
Related pages on this web site
Back to Glossary
If you have found this glossary useful please consider supporting the Amateur Entomologists' Society by becoming a member or making a donation.