part of part of immediately preceded by immediately preceded by occurrent metamorphic larva stage juvenile period early juvenile stage endotrophic juvenile postlarva PLJuv The early juvenile is morphologically similar to a miniature sea urchin adult. It harbors primary podia (or tube feet) and definitive spines, along with other appendages (e.g., immature spines, pedicellariae). Compare to the adult, however, it is smaller in size, deprived of a functional digestive system, and is sexually immature. UBERON:0007021 ecao_developmental_stage