leptocephaluslike
Leptocephaluslike is an informal, descriptive term used in ichthyology and paleontology to denote larval or juvenile forms that resemble the leptocephalus, the slender, ribbon-shaped larva characteristic of eel-like fishes. The term is not a taxonomic rank; it indicates morphology rather than lineage and is applied when a specimen’s body plan is reminiscent of a leptocephalus even if its precise evolutionary position is uncertain. Leptocephaluslike forms can occur in extant species or in fossil material.
Typical leptocephali are elongated, mostly transparent larvae with a broad, leaf- or ribbon-shaped body, reduced scales
Ecology and uses: In living communities, leptocephaluslike larvae are associated with pelagic dispersal and can contribute