microfauna: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

It is typically an uncountable collective noun used with a singular verb (e.g., 'The microfauna is diverse'). However, when referring to distinct communities, a plural form 'microfaunas' is occasionally seen in technical writing.

Microorganisms is a broader term including all microscopic life forms: bacteria, archaea, protists, and microfauna. Microfauna specifically refers to the microscopic animal life within that group, such as tiny worms, rotifers, and tardigrades.

It is highly unlikely and would sound overly technical. In everyday talk, you would say 'tiny creatures', 'microscopic animals', or simply 'germs/bugs' depending on context.

The direct antonym is 'macrofauna', which are animals large enough to be seen with the naked eye and typically retained on a 0.5mm sieve. An even larger category is 'megafauna' (e.g., elephants, whales).

Microscopic animals or very small animals requiring magnification to see, typically inhabiting a specific environment like soil, water, or inside larger organisms.

Microfauna is usually technical / scientific / academic in register.

Microfauna: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmaɪ.krəʊˈfɔː.nə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmaɪ.kroʊˈfɑː.nə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.