hemiplankton: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

In modern usage, they are essentially synonyms. 'Meroplankton' (from Greek 'meros' meaning 'part') is slightly more common, but both refer to organisms with a temporary planktonic stage.

Typically, no. Fish eggs and very early larval fish (ichthyoplankton) are often considered temporary plankton, but the term 'hemiplankton' is more firmly applied to invertebrates like crustaceans, molluscs, and echinoderms whose adults are definitively non-planktonic (benthic or nektonic).

It is primarily an uncountable mass noun when referring to the collective category (e.g., 'Hemiplankton was abundant'). It can be used countably when referring to types or species (e.g., 'Several important hemiplanktons were identified'), though this is less common.

Primarily in marine biology, biological oceanography, limnology (study of inland waters), and ecology. It is a niche term for specialists studying plankton dynamics, larval dispersal, and life history strategies.

Planktonic organisms that spend only part of their life cycle (e.

Hemiplankton is usually scientific/technical in register.

Hemiplankton: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɛmɪˈplaŋ(k)t(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɛmɪˈplæŋktən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.