infauna

[in-faw-nuh]

noun

Ecology.

plural

infaunas, infaunae 

1. the aggregate of animals that burrow into and live in the bottom deposits of an ocean, river, or lake.

infauna

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

Other Word Forms

• infaunal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of infauna¹

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

Example Sentences

Dead coral rocks are critical microhabitats for various benthic infauna, such as clams and worms.

Read more on Science Daily