noun Salpa n. (pl. L. salpae, E. salpas) (Zool.) A genus of transparent, tubular, free-swimming oceanic tunicates found abundantly in all the warmer latitudes. Note: Each species exists in two distinct forms, one of which lives solitary, and produces, by budding from an internal organ, a series of the other kind. These are united together, side by side, so as to form a chain, or cluster, often of large size. Each of the individuals composing the chain carries a single egg, which develops into the solitary kind.
Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48
|