Daphnia

[ daf-nee-uh ]

/ ˈdæf ni ə /

noun

a genus of tiny, freshwater crustaceans having a transparent body, used in biological research and as food for tropical fish.

Compare water flea.

Origin of Daphnia

1840–50; < New Latin, perhaps after Daphne; see -ia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for daphnia

The recovery or death of the daphnia depends therefore on the issue of the struggle.
Life of Elie Metchnikoff, 1845-1916|Olga Metchnikoff
The water-flea, Daphnia (a crustacean), lays two kinds of eggs known as “summer” and “winter” eggs.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 1|Various
Some of these belong to the genus Daphnia, and differ from the species found in other situations by their glassy transparency.
The Life of Crustacea|William Thomas Calman
Both Daphnia and Cyclops are bred in stagnant water in which there should be a good stock of weeds.
Amateur Fish Culture|Charles Edward Walker

Of Crustaceae: near the sea-shore a Pagurus existed in astonishing numbers, and in the sweet waters a Daphnia.
The Highlands of Ethiopia|William Cornwallis Harris

British Dictionary definitions for daphnia

daphnia

/ (ˈdæfnɪə) /

noun

any water flea of the genus Daphnia, having a rounded body enclosed in a transparent shell and bearing branched swimming antennae

Word Origin for daphnia

C19: from New Latin, probably from Daphne

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012