lecithotrophic, a.
(lɛsɪθəʊˈtrɒfɪk, lɛkɪθəʊ-)
[f. Gr. λέκιθος yolk of egg + -trophic.]
Of the larvæ of certain marine invertebrates, feeding on the yolk of the egg from which they have emerged.
| 1950 G. Thorson in Biol. Rev. XXV. 10 The lecithotrophic pelagic larvae, mainly developing from fairly large yolky eggs, are of a clumsy shape, rather unfit for locomotion. 1962 D. Nichols Echinoderms x. 119 Heliocidaris has a lecithotrophic larva (feeding on stored yolk). 1967 Oceanogr. & Marine Biol. V. 360 Experiments refer to short-lived lecithotrophic larvae. |