Bathyal

/ˈbæθiəl/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or living in the bathyal zone, the part of the ocean between roughly 1,000 and 4,000 meters deep where light becomes very dim.

Etymology

Greek bathos 'depth' + -al suffix. The term was coined in marine biology in the late 19th century to describe ocean depth zones.

Kelly Says

The bathyal zone is where anglerfish with glowing lures live and giant squid hunt—it's dark enough that bioluminescence becomes the language of the deep ocean!

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