Daphnia

[ daf-nee-uh ]

/ ˈdæf ni ə /

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

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

daphnia

/ (ˈdæfnɪə) /

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

C19: from New Latin, probably from Daphne