Elver
Elver is a term used to describe young, juvenile eels that are in the stage of development between the larval stage and adulthood. Elvers are typically found in freshwater and coastal environments and are known for their migratory behavior.
Life Cycle[edit | edit source]
Elvers are part of the complex life cycle of eels, which includes several stages:
- Leptocephalus: The larval stage of eels, characterized by a transparent, leaf-like body.
- Elver: The juvenile stage, where the eel begins to develop pigmentation and migrate towards freshwater habitats.
- Yellow eel: The stage where the eel resides in freshwater or coastal waters, growing and maturing.
- Silver eel: The final stage, where the eel becomes sexually mature and migrates back to the sea to spawn.
Migration[edit | edit source]
Elvers are known for their remarkable migratory journey. After hatching in the Sargasso Sea, they drift with ocean currents towards the coasts of Europe and North America. Upon reaching coastal waters, they transform from the leptocephalus stage into elvers and begin their migration into freshwater rivers and streams.
Habitat[edit | edit source]
Elvers are typically found in a variety of habitats, including:
They are known to navigate through complex environments, often overcoming obstacles such as dams and weirs to reach suitable habitats.
Importance[edit | edit source]
Elvers play a crucial role in the ecosystem as both predators and prey. They feed on small invertebrates and are, in turn, preyed upon by larger fish and birds. Additionally, elvers are of significant economic importance in some regions, where they are harvested for use in aquaculture and as a delicacy in various cuisines.
Conservation[edit | edit source]
The populations of elvers and eels, in general, have been declining due to factors such as:
Conservation efforts are underway to protect and restore eel populations, including the implementation of fishing quotas, habitat restoration projects, and research into eel biology and migration.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
