Glossary

planktonic

Of or relating to plankton.

Used in 6 species profiles

copepod
Any member of the subclass Copepoda, a group of small marine and freshwater crustaceans of which the planktonic species are important to global ecology, forming the main constituent of oceanic zooplankton. Some species are parasites of fishes.
Daphnia
Any representative of the genus Daphnia; small, planktonic crustaceans commonly referred to as 'water fleas' and often used as food for ornamental fishes. They're members of the order Cladocera and reproduce by parthenogenesis.
phytoplankton
The photosynthesizing constituent of a planktonic community, consisting of algae, cyanobacteria and other microorganisms.
plankton
Any organism, or more typically, collection of organisms drifting freely in a body of water. Used in reference to both microscopic, e.g. algae, fish larvae, and larger, e.g. jellyfish, organisms.
zoea
Early, planktonic larval form common in decapod crustaceans, e.g., crabs, characterised by possession of well-developed abdominal appendages and one or more spines on the carapace.
zooplankton
Plankton or planktonic constituent composed of small animals such as crustaceans and larval fishes.