infaunal
- adjective
- /ˌɪnˈfɔːnəl/
- Specialized
:
infaunal
- Given that sediment grain size is a major delimiter of infaunal distribution, there should be a clear linkage of structural vegetation to below-SWI biodiversity and composition.
- infaunal species
Examples
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This raises the intriguing question of whether there are fundamental differences in the effects of above-SWI versus infaunal predators on sedimentary biodiversity.
Academic text (2000) -
Benthic infaunal species also aggregate, possibly because detritus distribution is not uniform or because different types of detritus might attract different types of species.
Academic text (2000) -
No studies have been designed to test whether the diversity of these predators is significant for infaunal communities.
Academic text (2000) -
Interestingly, most of what we know about predation is from studies of above-sediment species, rather than interactions among infaunal species.
Academic text (2000) -
Before hypoxia, a mature assemblage of diverse infaunal and epifaunal species lives in the community (successional stage III).
Academic text (2000) -
Simple removal of these major predators is likely to alter infaunal biodiversity, in some cases increasing species richness (Peterson 1979, Reise 1985).
Academic text (2000) -
Infaunal grazers on seedlings and root structures can also regulate mangrove distributions (see Tomlinson 1986).
Academic text (2000) -
The infaunal organisms burrow deeply into the ocean floor, creating habitats for other marine life.
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Researchers study infaunal communities to understand their role in the marine ecosystem.
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Infaunal species play a crucial part in nutrient cycling within sediments by breaking down organic matter.
How Close
- Specialized
- Specialized
1
9.6
- Specialized
- Specialized
2
9.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Infaunal breaks into two parts: in- meaning 'in' or 'within' and fauna meaning 'animals'. So infaunal describes animals that live inside the sea or lake bed, like clams that bury themselves in the sand.