Benthos


Benthos are the organisms which live on, in, or near the seabed, also known as the benthic zone.[1] Although the term derived from the Greek for "depths of the sea"[1], the term is also used in freshwater biology to refer to organisms at the bottoms of freshwater bodies of water, such lakes, rivers, and streams.[2]

Animals belonging to the benthos are sometimes referred to as zoobenthos, while plants are referred to as phytobenthos.

Benthos can be categorized according to size:

They can also be classified according to their specific habitat:

Benthic organisms play an important role as a food source for fish and some also for humans.

Examples of benthic organisms are sea stars, oysters, clams, sea cucumbers, brittle stars, sea anemones, and seagrass.

See also

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