leptocephalus

1 9.9

A thin, clear young form of eels and some other fish that lives in the sea

noun
/ˌlɛp.təˈsɛf.əl.əs/

Specialized

: leptocéfalo

Scientists collected samples of leptocephali to study their migration patterns.

Examples

A leptocephalus can be difficult to spot due to its transparent body.
The leptocephalus is the larval form of the eel.
The leptocephalus of the eel drifts in ocean currents for many months before becoming an adult.
Many scientists study leptocephali to understand eel development.
The leptocephalus is a unique larval stage of eels that is thin and transparent.
During our marine biology class, we learned that a leptocephalus can grow into a mature eel.
Scientists studied the leptocephalus to understand its role in the ocean's ecosystem.

Surface Forms

leptocephalus singular

leptocephaluses plural

leptocephali plural

Morphology

leptocephalus = lepto + cephalus

Formed from Greek combining forms (lepto- 'slender' + -cephalus 'head') that are not standalone English words, so learners cannot reliably derive the meaning from the components.

Etymology

Leptocephalus comes from Greek parts leptos ('thin') and kephale ('head'), so it means 'thin head'. A helpful image is that a leptocephalus is the very slim, almost transparent young form of eels and related fish, with a small head and long body.