Meiobenthos

For meiobenthos include the invertebrates of the benthic meiofauna in and on the bottom of the oceans and inland waters with a body length of between about 0.063 mm and 1 mm. Smaller organisms belonging to Thos microbes, larger for macrobenthos. In 1942, by M. F. Mare introduced in the scientific literature is a descriptive, not understood a systematic- taxonomic term that defines a group of organisms simply because of their size under " Meiobenthos " only. On the ecological conditions no special demands are made, so the meiobenthischen organisms found in different habitats ( biotopes ). Is populated sandy ground, in particular the interstitial system, as well as the muddy bottom of the water and solid substrate of all depth regions between littoral and Hadal. Even on larger sessile plants and animals can Meiobenthos be encountered.

Major taxonomic groups of meiobenthos are:

• Copepods ( Copepoda )
• Water bears ( tardigrades )
• Nematodes ( Nematoda )
• Little Borster ( Oligochaeta )
• Polychaete ( Polychaeta )
• Rotifers ( Rotifera )