A trochophore (; also spelled trocophore) is a type of free-swimming planktonic marine larva with several bands of cilia. By moving their cilia rapidly, they make a water eddy, to control their movement, and to bring their food closer, to capture it more easily. Occurrence Trochophores exist as a larval form within the trochozoan clade, which include the entoprocts, molluscs, annelids, echiurans, sipunculans and nemerteans. Together, these phyla make up part of the Lophotrochozoa; it is possible that trochophore larvae were present in the life cycle of the group's common ancestor. Etymology The term trochophore derives from the ancient Greek (), meaning "wheel", and () — or () —, meaning 'to bear, to carry', because the larva is bearing a wheel-shaped band of cilia. Feeding habits Trochophore larvae are often planktotrophic; that is, they feed on other plankton species. Life cycle The example of the development of the annelid Pomatoceros lamarckii (family Serpulidae) shows various trochophore stages (image: D-F): D - early trochophore ; E - complete trochophore ; F - late trochophore ; G - metatrochophore. References External links Larvae Lophotrochozoa