1. the first larval stage of certain tapeworms that develops in the body cavity of small crustaceans
Usage: biology; parasitology

Examples

• The procercoid stage occurs after the tapeworm egg is ingested by a copepod.
• Scientists studied the procercoid larvae in infected water fleas.
• The procercoid develops into a plerocercoid when the infected crustacean is eaten by a fish.
• Researchers identified procercoid stages in several species of freshwater copepods.
• The procercoid larva has a characteristic tail appendage called a cercomer.