Hemiplankton

/ˌhɛmɪˈplæŋktən/ noun

Definition

Plankton organisms that are free-floating for only part of their life cycle, spending other parts attached to surfaces or living on the ocean floor.

Etymology

From Greek 'hemi-' (half) combined with 'plankton' (wandering), a term coined in marine biology to describe organisms with dual lifestyles in water.

Kelly Says

Many sea creatures like barnacle larvae start life drifting with the currents as hemiplankton, then settle down on rocks and transform completely—it's like they're amphibious between two totally different ocean neighborhoods!

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