Noun
cystacanth (plural cystacanths)
The larva of an acanthocephalan
The cystacanth stage is long lived and probably remains infective throughout the life of the crab. citation The life cycle of Polymorphus spp. normally occurs between sea ducks (e.g. eiders and scoters ) and small crabs. Source: Internet
It then penetrates the gut wall, moves into the body cavity, encysts, and begins transformation into the infective cystacanth stage. Source: Internet