Why the term “larva” is ambiguous, or what makes a larva?

Abstract

Abstract The term “larva” is used for many different metazoans. Although this implies a uniform meaning, the term has in fact been used to address immatures with very different characteristics. For providing more precise reference how the term larva is applied in a specific context, I outline here different criteria that have been used to identify an immature as a larva. These include larvae that (a) differ morphologically from their adult (morpho‐larva s. l.); (b) differ morphologically from their adult and additionally possess structures that become reduced during ontogeny (morpho‐larva s. str.); (c) have a different ecological niche than their adult (eco‐larva s. l.); (d) have a different ecological niche than their adult and additionally fulfil a dispersal function (eco‐larva s. str.); (e) transform by a metamorphosis to the non‐larval immature or adult (metamorph‐larva); (f) differ from the adult by having evolved new structures in the early stages (apo‐larva); (g) differ from the adult as the adult has evolved new structures (plesio‐larva). The differentiation of these criteria will provide a more precise reference reducing possible misunderstanding and allowing a more precise communication.