What is the first stage of mussel life called?

The first stage of mussel life is called veligers. This term refers to a larval stage that occurs after fertilization. During this phase, mussel larvae are free-swimming and typically develop within the water column. Veligers have developed a shell and are equipped with cilia, which they use for locomotion and feeding as they drift with the currents. This stage is crucial for the dispersal of mussels, allowing them to move away from their spawning grounds, seek suitable habitats, and ultimately set down to become adults. Understanding the veliger stage is essential for managing and controlling invasive species like quagga and zebra mussels, as it helps identify points of intervention during their life cycle. The other stages listed refer to later phases in the mussel's development, with adults being fully developed mussels that have settled down, and settlers being the next stage after the veliger when they transition from larval to juvenile mussels.