Noun: zoea (zoeae,zoeas) zow'ee-u
- A larval stage of many crustaceans, especially the first stage of crabs and some other decapods, characterized by a large head shield, segmented body, and swimming appendages; typically free-swimming and planktonic
"The zoea of the crab drifted in the plankton";
- zoaea
Derived forms: zoeae, zoeas
Encyclopedia: Zoea