infauna

[in-faw-nuh] /ˈɪnˌfɔ nə/
noun, plural infaunas, infaunae
[in-faw-nee] /ˈɪnˌfɔ ni/ (Show IPA)
1.
the aggregate of organisms that burrow into and live in the bottom deposits of the ocean.
Origin
1910-15; in-1 + fauna; compare epifauna
Related forms
infaunal, adjective
Examples from the web for infauna
  • Impacts to beach infauna are expected to include reduced abundance and altered community structure.
  • It was feared that if discharged it might sink and lie on the bottom, killing all benthic infauna.
  • The third objective was to examine the spatial nature of the benthic infauna response to freshwater runoff.
  • Reference samples also had little infauna in each sample.
  • While benthic infauna have recolonized the cap, there is not indication of cap breach due to bioturbation.
infauna in Science
infauna
  (ĭn'fô'nə)   
Benthic animals that live in the substrate of a body of water, especially in a soft sea bottom. Infauna usually construct tubes or burrows and are commonly found in deeper and subtidal waters. Clams, tubeworms, and burrowing crabs are infaunal animals. Compare epifauna.