epibenthos

/ɛpɪˈbɛnθɒs/

Definitions

1. noun

The organisms living on the surface of the seafloor, including marine animals such as sponges, corals, and mollusks, and their associated flora.

“The research team studied the diversity of epibenthos in the coral reef ecosystem.”

Synonyms

  • benthic organisms
  • epifauna

Antonyms

  • deep-sea organisms
  • endobenthos