noun
- Organisms that live on the surface of the seafloor or other substrates, as opposed to burrowing within them.
Usage: marine biology; plural of epifauna; technical/scientific term
Examples
- The epifaunae of the coral reef include starfish, sea urchins, and various crustaceans.
- Researchers studied the epifaunae communities on rocky substrates in the intertidal zone.
- Unlike infauna that burrow into sediment, epifaunae remain visible on the seafloor surface.
- The diversity of epifaunae increases in areas with complex habitat structures.
- Epifaunae populations can be affected by changes in water temperature and oxygen levels.