What is the “Benthos” and What Do Benthologists Do?
The benthos refers collectively to all aquatic organisms which live on, in, or near the bottom (substratum) of water bodies. This includes organisms inhabiting both running and standing waters, and also applies to organisms from both saltwater and freshwater habitats. The term “phytobenthos” is used when referring to the primary producers (i.e., various algae and aquatic plants), whereas “zoobenthos” is applied in reference to all consumers (i.e., benthic animals, and protozoa). “Benthic microflora” (bacteria, fungi, and many protozoa) constitute the decomposer community, and are involved in the recycling of essential nutrients. The benthos may be further subdivided on the basis of size. Large benthic animals (those readily visible without the use of a microscope) are collectively referred to as macrozoobenthos or macroinvertebrates. Representatives include clams, snails, worms, amphipods, crayfish, and the larvae of many aquatic insects (e.g., dragonflies, mayflies, stoneflies, caddis
