The larva of the jellyfish Aurelia is called a Planula.
In more detail, let's look at the life cycle of Aurelia and the role of the planula larva:
-
Aurelia is a genus of jellyfish, and like other cnidarians, they have a complex life cycle that involves both sexual and asexual reproduction.
-
One of the crucial stages in this life cycle is the larval stage. According to the reference material, this larva is specifically called a planula. The planula is a small, free-swimming larva, typically covered with cilia, which it uses for movement.
-
The planula eventually settles onto a substrate and transforms into a polyp called a scyphistoma. This polyp then undergoes strobilation, a process of asexual reproduction, to produce ephyrae, which eventually develop into adult jellyfish.
Here's a table summarizing the different stages:
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Planula | Free-swimming larva of Aurelia; covered in cilia. |
| Scyphistoma | Polyp stage that develops from the planula; attaches to a substrate. |
| Strobila | The polyp undergoing asexual reproduction to form ephyrae. |
| Ephyra | Immature jellyfish produced by strobilation. |
| Adult Medusa | The sexually mature jellyfish; reproduces sexually to produce planula larvae. |
Therefore, knowing the name of the Aurelia larva is essential to understanding the complete life cycle of this fascinating jellyfish.
