pluteus

[ ploo-tee-uhs ]

noun

plural plutei pluteuses.

1. the free-swimming, bilaterally symmetrical larva of an echinoid or ophiuroid.

Other Word Forms

• plute·al plute·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pluteus¹

1825–35; < New Latin; Latin: breastwork, movable shelter

Example Sentences

Pluteus, a free-swimming larval stage in the development of echinoderms, 54.

From Project Gutenberg

In these early stages the young, or the so-called larvæ of Echinoderms, have received the name of Pluteus on account of their ever-changing forms.

From Project Gutenberg

The appearance of the Sea-urchin, as soon as this larva or Pluteus is completely absorbed, is much more like that of the adult than is the Star-fish at the same stages, in which, as we have seen, there is a transition period of considerable duration.

From Project Gutenberg

By the limestone rods which support the arms, the Pluteus of the Ophiuran, here represented, resembles that of the Sea-urchin more than that of the Star-Fish, while by the character of the water-tubes and by its internal organization it is more closely allied to the latter.

From Project Gutenberg

It differs from both, however, in the immense length of two of the arms; these arms being the last signs of its plutean condition to disappear; when the young Ophiuran has absorbed almost the whole Pluteus, it still goes wandering about with these two immense appendages, which finally share the fate of all the rest.

From Project Gutenberg