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V

variation

The differences among individuals in a population.

veliger

Planktonic larval type characteristic of most mollusks (including bivalves), characterized by a ciliated locomotory organ (velum) which is either discarded or resorbed at metamorphosis.

velum

The locomotory organ of a veliger larva.

vestigialization

The evolutionary process of losing nonfunctional traits, usually expressed by a reduction in size or function.