Meroplankton 1754248 211824912 2008-05-12T08:00:02Z Dj Capricorn 265758 /* Sources */ [[et:Meroplankton]] '''Meroplankton''' are organisms that are [[plankton|planktonic]] for only a part of their life cycles, usually the [[larva|larval]] stage. Examples of meroplankton include the larvae of [[sea urchin]]s, [[starfish]], [[crustacean]]s, marine [[worm]]s, and most [[fish]]. After a period of time in the plankton, meroplankton either graduate to the [[nekton]] or adopt a [[benthos|benthic]] (often [[Sessile#In zoology|sessile]]) lifestyle on the [[seafloor]]. ==See also== * [[Plankton]] * [[Holoplankton]] ==Sources== * [http://www.amonline.net.au/exhibitions/beyond/meroplankton/ Australian Museum Online] {{ecology-stub}} [[Category:Aquatic ecology]] [[Category:Planktology]] [[et:Meroplankton]] [[pl:Meroplankton]]