infauna

[ in-faw-nuh ]

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

Origin of infauna

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

Other words from infauna

  • infaunal, adjective

Words Nearby infauna

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

Scientific definitions for infauna

infauna

[ ĭnfô′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. Compare epifauna.

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