Jornal de Biologia Marinha e Oceanografia

Overview of Benthic Organisms

Emma Griffin

Benthos term was coined by Haeckel in 1891 which means “depth of the sea”. Thus, benthos in marine science refers to the organisms which are at the bottom of the freshwater bodies such as rivers, lakes and streams. It consists of the life forms that live on, in or near the river, lake, seabed or the bottom of the steam, known as benthic zone. Benthic organism can be classified on basis of size (Macrobenthos, Meiobenthos and Microbenthos); type (Zoobenthos and Phytobenthos) and location (Endobenthos, Epibenthos and Hyperbentho).