daphnia

9.9

A tiny freshwater animal like a small water flea that swims with short quick movements

noun
/ˈdæfniə/

Specialized

: dáfnia

Aquatic ecosystems rely on Daphnia as a vital food source for larger fish species.
Daphnia dentifera
Daphnia magna
Daphnia pulicaria

Examples

Let's take a look at these when Daphnia smell midge larvae in the water.
Once offshore, those spores could infect Daphnia hosts.

Academic text (2010)
Generally, rapid toxicological assessments in the Russian Federation are based on estimates of lethal dose (LD50 and LD100) values. Common Daphnia are widely used for 24-hour toxicity tests.

Academic text (2018)
Many scientists study Daphnia because they are widely considered important indicators of water quality.
In a pond, you can often see tiny Daphnia swimming among the algae.

Synonyms

water flea

vsdaphnia

1 4.9

A very small fresh water animal with a rounded body that lives in ponds and many fish eat

refers specifically to members of one genus rather than all such crustaceans

genus Daphnia

vsdaphnia

Specialized

7.3

Small freshwater animals called water fleas that float in water

is the everyday name used for individuals of that genus

cladoceran

vsdaphnia

Specialized

9.9

A small freshwater crustacean called a water flea

is narrower, naming a single genus within that larger order

Compounds

genus Daphnia

Specialized

7.3

Small freshwater animals called water fleas that float in water

Surface Forms

daphnia singular

daphnias plural

Etymology

Daphnia comes from the Greek word daphnē, which means 'laurel' and is also the name 'Daphne'. A helpful way to remember daphnia is to picture a tiny laurel leaf or the nymph's name, because these small 'water fleas' are delicate and float like little leaves in ponds, which is why the name suits the tiny freshwater animals.