leptocephalus

[ lep-tuh-sef-uh-luh s ]
/ ˌlɛp təˈsɛf ə ləs /

noun, plural lep·to·ceph·a·li [lep-tuh-sef-uh-lahy] /ˌlɛp təˈsɛf əˌlaɪ/.

a colorless, transparent, flattened larva, especially of certain eels and ocean fishes.

Origin of leptocephalus

From New Latin, dating back to 1760–70; see origin at lepto-, -cephalous

Example sentences from the Web for leptocephalus

British Dictionary definitions for leptocephalus

leptocephalus
/ (ˌlɛptəʊˈsɛfələs) /

noun plural -li (-ˌlaɪ)

the slender transparent oceanic larva of eels of the genus Anguilla that migrates from its hatching ground in the Caribbean to European freshwater habitats