benthon
nounEtymology From benth- + -on.
- The simple trophic relations in the plankton do not demand such a wide variety of adaptations as do the complex relations in the benthon where, in addition to microphagous herbivores, there are also macrophagous ones and an^([sic]) unique of detritus feeders which build up animal protoplasm on the sea floor.1961, Challenger Society for the Promotion of the Study of Oceanography, Annual Report and Proceedings of the Challenger Society, volumes 13-20, The Society, →OCLC, page 28: