benthos

ben·thos  (bnths)

n.

1. The collection of organisms living on or in sea or lake bottoms.

2. The bottom of a sea or lake.

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[Greek.]

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benthic (-thk), ben·thonic (bn-thnk) adj.

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benthos [ˈbɛnθɒs], benthon

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) the animals and plants living at the bottom of a sea or lake

2. the bottom of a sea or lake

[from Greek: depth; related to bathus deep]

benthic , benthal, benthonic adj

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benthos  (bnths)

1. The bottom of a sea or lake.

2. The organisms living on sea or lake bottoms. The benthos are divided into sessile organisms (those that are attached to the bottom or to objects on or near the bottom) and vagrant organisms (those that crawl or swim along the bottom). Compare nektonplankton See more at epifaunainfauna

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benthos

1. the depths or bottom of the sea.
2. organic life that inhabits the bottom of the sea.

See also: Depth, Sea

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	benthos - a region including the bottom of the sea and the littoral zones benthic division, benthonic zone biogeographical region - an area of the Earth determined by distribution of flora and fauna
	2.	benthos - organisms (plants and animals) that live at or near the bottom of a sea organism, being - a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently