infauna

American  

[in-faw-nuh] / ˈɪnˌfɔ nə /

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.

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infauna Scientific  

/ 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 Word Forms

• infaunal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of infauna

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.

From Science Daily • Oct. 18, 2023