Zooplankton


Zooplankton are the heterotrophic (or detritivorous) component of the plankton that drift in the water column of oceans, seas, and bodies of fresh water. The name is derived from the Greek terms, ("zoon") meaning "animal", and πλαγκτος ("planktos") meaning "wanderer" or "drifter"[1]. Many zooplankton are too small to be individually seen with the unaided eye.