Zooplankton: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
zooplankton
[ zuหoสหplรฆลktษn ]
marine biology
Zooplankton are small, often microscopic animals that drift in the ocean or other bodies of water. They are a crucial part of the aquatic food web, serving as a primary food source for many larger animals, such as fish and whales. Zooplankton include various species, including protozoa, crustaceans, and the larval stages of some fish and invertebrates.
Synonyms
marine zooplankton, microfauna, planktonic animals
Examples of usage
- The herring feed primarily on zooplankton.
- Zooplankton populations are sensitive to changes in water temperature.
- Ecologists study zooplankton to understand marine ecosystems.
- The growth of zooplankton can indicate water quality.
Translations
Translations of the word "zooplankton" in other languages:
๐ต๐น zooplรขncton
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคฒเฅเคฏ เคชเฅเคฒเคตเค
๐ฉ๐ช Zooplankton
๐ฎ๐ฉ zooplankton
๐บ๐ฆ ะทะพะพะฟะปะฐะฝะบัะพะฝ
๐ต๐ฑ zooplankton
๐ฏ๐ต ๅ็ฉใใฉใณใฏใใณ
๐ซ๐ท zooplancton
๐ช๐ธ zooplancton
๐น๐ท zooplankton
๐ฐ๐ท ๋๋ฌผ ํ๋ํฌํค
๐ธ๐ฆ ุงูุนูุงูู ุงูุญููุงููุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ zooplankton
๐ธ๐ฐ zooplankton
๐จ๐ณ ๆตฎๆธธๅจ็ฉ
๐ธ๐ฎ zooplankton
๐ฎ๐ธ dรฝrafrรฆรฐi
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะทะพะพะฟะปะฐะฝะบัะพะฝ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแแแแแขแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ zooplankton
๐ฒ๐ฝ zooplankton
Word origin
The term 'zooplankton' comes from the Greek words 'zoo', meaning 'animal', and 'plankton', meaning 'drifter' or 'wanderer'. The concept of zooplankton emerged in the 19th century, as scientists began to explore the microscopic life in aquatic environments. The study of zooplankton has been vital for oceanography and ecology, providing insights into nutrient cycling and energy flow within marine ecosystems. These organisms play a pivotal role in aquatic food chains, converting primary production from phytoplankton into a form that larger animals can consume. Socio-economic studies have also highlighted the importance of zooplankton in commercial fisheries, as healthy zooplankton populations can sustain abundant fish stocks.