Meroplankton

Meroplankton are a type of plankton that spend a portion of their lives in the pelagic zone (water column) of marine ecosystems, and the rest of their life cycle in the benthic zone (sea floor). Unlike holoplankton, which are planktonic for their entire life cycle, meroplankton are only planktonic for a part of it.

Life Cycle

Meroplankton start their life as eggs, which are released into the water column. These eggs then hatch into larvae, which are the planktonic stage of the organism. The larvae drift in the water column, feeding on phytoplankton and other small organisms. After a period of growth and development, the larvae undergo metamorphosis and settle onto the sea floor, where they mature into adults.

Types of Meroplankton

Meroplankton include a wide variety of organisms, including many species of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, polychaetes, echinoderms, and cnidarians. Some examples of meroplankton include crab larvae, fish larvae, and sea urchin larvae.

Ecological Importance

Meroplankton play a crucial role in marine ecosystems. They serve as a vital food source for other marine organisms, including both other plankton and larger predators. Additionally, because they spend part of their life in the water column and part on the sea floor, they help to link these two important marine habitats.

See Also

• Plankton
• Holoplankton
• Zooplankton
• Phytoplankton

References

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Meroplankton

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  Plankton collage

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  Icefish

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  Larva de phyllosoma

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  Haeckel Amphoridea