Meroplankton
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2008-05-12T08:00:02Z
Dj Capricorn
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/* 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]]