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infauna

[ in-faw-nuh ]

noun

, Ecology.
, plural in·fau·nas, in·fau·nae [in, -faw-nee].
  1. the aggregate of animals that burrow into and live in the bottom deposits of an ocean, river, or lake.

infauna

/ ĭn′fô′nə /

  1. Benthic animals that live in the substrate of a body of water, especially in a soft sea bottom. Infauna usually construct tubes or burrows and are commonly found in deeper and subtidal waters. Clams, tubeworms, and burrowing crabs are infaunal animals.
  2. Compare epifauna

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Other Words From

  • infaunal adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of infauna1

First recorded in 1910–15; in- 1 + fauna

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