Neuston

Neuston (Greek neuston " the Floating " ) is the sum of the organisms that live in a thin layer just below the water surface. It is sometimes assumed to be about five centimeters thick layer, in other cases only a few millimeters thick layer is considered.

Habitat Neuston

Located directly on or below the water surface reign very special conditions, must be adapted to the animals in order to survive here can. For example, the proportion of harmful ultraviolet radiation is high, and it is thought that frequently occur in Neustonarten blue or purple dyes represent a radiation protection. Temperature and salinity are highly variable during the day, during storms occurs strong waves. In addition neuston species are predators exposed both from the water and from the air, so with them often the phenomenon of so-called Countershading occurs (different color of the top and bottom ). A special form of Neustons represents the Epineuston which only includes organisms that live directly on the water surface. As an example, here is the water striders to call.

Often summarized as Pleuston types to be added to the neuston, because separation of the two groups is difficult.

Dividing the Neustons

After the layer:

• Epineuston: organisms that live on the surface film of water, such as water striders and whirligig beetles
• Hyponeuston: organisms that live just under the surface film of the water

According to the following composition:

• Anemoneuston: terri genes organic and inorganic material that was carried by the wind on the water surface
• Bacterioneuston: the bacterial inhabitants of the Neustons
• Ichthyoneuston: fish or their free-floating eggs or larvae in the neuston
• Phytoneuston: plant organisms in the neuston