Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
veliger
mollusk larva
veliger, larva typical of certain mollusks such as marine snails and bivalves and a few freshwater bivalves. The veliger develops from the trochophore (q.v.) larva and has large, ciliated lobes (velum). The velum forms from the ciliary ring (prototroch), a characteristic of the trochophore stage. The velum is used for swimming, feeding, and gas exchange, and it is resorbed or lost as the mollusk metamorphoses into its adult stage. In addition, the mollusk begins to develop a foot and shell during the veliger stage.
This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.
Discover how ordinary objects work, and expand your understanding of the familiar.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
By clicking "Sign Up", you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.