epifauna

[ ep-uh-faw-nuh ]
/ ˈɛp əˌfɔ nə /

noun, plural ep·i·fau·nas, ep·i·fau·nae [ep-uh-faw-nee] /ˈɛp əˌfɔ ni/ Ecology.

the aggregate of animals that live on the surface of the bottom of an ocean, river, or lake, or are attached to other aquatic organisms or submerged rocks.
Compare infauna.

Origin of epifauna

1910–15; epi- + fauna

OTHER WORDS FROM epifauna

ep·i·fau·nal, adjective

Words nearby epifauna

epidural block, epidural hematoma, epidural space, epidurography, epiestriol, epifauna, epifocal, epigamic, epigastralgia, epigastric, epigastric artery

Scientific definitions for epifauna

epifauna
[ ĕp′ə-fô′nə ]

Benthic animals that live on the surface of a substrate, such as rocks, pilings, marine vegetation, or the sea or lake floor itself. Epifauna may attach themselves to such surfaces or range freely over them, as by crawling or swimming. Mussels, crabs, starfish, and flounder are epifaunal animals. Compare infauna.