glochidium
Glochidium is the larval stage of freshwater mussels, primarily members of the families that comprise the unionoid clade. These larvae are parasitic and non-feeding, and their development depends on a fish host for nourishment and dispersal to new habitats. The adult mussel releases glochidia into the water as part of its reproductive cycle.
After release, glochidia must encounter a suitable fish host. They attach to the fish, often near gills
Host specificity varies among species. Many glochidia infect only a limited number of fish species, while others
In ecological terms, the glochidium stage is crucial for dispersal and population connectivity of freshwater mussels,