infauna

[ in-faw-nuh ]
/ ˈɪnˌfɔ nə /

noun, plural in·fau·nas, in·fau·nae [in-faw-nee] /ˈɪnˌfɔ ni/. Ecology.

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

Origin of infauna

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

OTHER WORDS FROM infauna

in·fau·nal, adjective

Words nearby infauna

infarction, infare, infatuate, infatuated, infatuation, infauna, infeasible, infect, infected abortion, infectee, infection

Scientific definitions for infauna

infauna
[ ĭn′fô′nə ]

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. Compare epifauna.