What are bentonic organisms: examples and characteristics

Bentonic organisms are those who They are associated with any aquatic fund. The word bentos, also used as a noun, comes from the Greek Bentos which means depth, which best explains the meaning of this term. The aquatic funds to which the Bentonic organisms belong are multiple. For example, bentos can find in:

• The intermareal zone
• The abyssal zone
• Oceanic graves
• Lagos or rivers funds

In addition, it should be added that benthic organisms can belong to any biological group: plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, bacteria or algae.

Once we already know what the Bentos are and where they live, then we will mention some of the most common characteristics of the Bentonic organisms. These are:

• They are always associated with a Aquatic medium.
• They can be found on the ground: buried under him or close.
• They can Be sesilesthat is without movement, or have the capacity to move: In case of having the latter, it is very limited.
• Most have Heavy structures: since they do not require flotation. These structures can be thick shells or skeletons.
• As for vegetation, Pluricellular algae dominate: The upper plants are few. These benthic multicellular algae are grouped into brown algae, red algae and green algae. If you want to know more about algae, type marine plants, do not hesitate to consult this other post.
• The benthonic vegetation of great ocean depths It may disappear: It becomes yellow, with twisted leaves and disappears as the light does it too.

If you want to know more about where the Bentos live, do not hesitate to take a look at the next ecology article see about what an aquatic ecosystem is.

Now, what do the bentos eat? Bentonic organisms feed of what comes from above the water column And, this seabed is a very prosperous means in terms of available food.

The characteristics of the Bentonic organisms are not the same for everyone, because for each aquatic medium different adaptations are required. Among these types of food are the following types:

• Detritivorous: Much of the Bentonic organisms are responsible for processing the debris and waste that is generated above the water column and sediment. They are important to maintain clean and balanced ecosystems.
• Carnivores: Other animals can feed on organisms that live in the marine substrate. It is the second most common diet in Bentos.
• Herbivores: They feed on algae. This type of food is common in areas where sunlight reaches the ground. Discover more about other herbivorous animals: what are and examples, here.
• Filters either suspensivores: They feed on particles suspended in the water.
• Depositivores: They are very peculiar Bentonic organisms that feed on mud and organic soil. These can be buried to feed or take only the particles that interest them.
• Photosynthetic: In the case of seaweed or marine plants, photosynthesis is carried out to obtain energy.

The more it goes down in the water column, there is less food. This is compensated by very deep -areas organisms with a low metabolism. Abisal animals develop olfactory capabilities and have appendages to facilitate the capture of low food.

As with the food of the Bentos, the reproduction of these can be diverse. Since different species coexist in the bentos, each of them will have one type of reproduction or another. For example, if we talk about corals, these can be reproduced both sexual and asexuallyjust like algae. However, benthic octopuses only reproduce sexually after having made a bridal stop.

If you want to know more about the reproduction of algae, for example, do not hesitate to consult this other ecology article.

As throughout this article we have already been able to discover what Bentonic organisms are through their definition and characteristics, in addition to finding out where they live and what they eat, then we will mention some Examples of Bentonic organisms so you can finish completing your information on the subject.

Corals

Corals are bentonic marine organisms without movement that Subjects live in seabed of tropical areas with Warm waters and shallow. They are made up of several polyps gathered in colonies. We can group the corals in:

• Hard corals: of the SCLERATINIA, TUBIPORA AND MILLERPORA orders. The first hard corals are important for sand formation. They also create coral reefs, formed by the accumulation of calcium carbonate. These reefs are of the most varied ecosystems. If you want to know more about what a coral reef is, do not hesitate to consult the following article that we recommend.
• Soft corals: of the antipathia, gorgonacea and alcyonacea orders.

On the other hand, both soft and hard are important for rich ecosystem For other benthic organisms, also giving protection.

Bentonic octopus (Octopus vulgaris)

Many octopus like to hide among rocks, especially at night. They are handled near the seabed, dragging with their eight arms. These are known as benthic octopuses and this is the case of the common octopus. You can inhabit In shallow soils until 100 meter depths.

They feed on crustaceans and mollusks that walk on the seabed, but also corals. For this, They have toxins in their saliva that can dissolve calcium carbonate.

They also have the capacity to modify the color of your skin To mimic with marine soil and be very efficient in this medium associated with the soil, both to get food and to hide from predators.

Sea cucumber (Isostichopus Badionotus)

These benthic animals live on the marine ground. They are from elongated and round appearanceand have small bumps called ambulacral feet with which they move through the sand. They can also hide in recesses, between corals or buried under the sand.

They are very important for the Organic matter processing accumulated on the ground. They live from the low tide zone called sublite to 65 meters deep.

Diatomeas (diatomeae superclass)

The diatoms are microscopic and unicellular algae with impressive geometric structures and an external silica structure. They can be found in all types of aquatic ecosystems From seas to lakesboth in the plankton and in the Bentos, being very abundant in the latter.

They have a great capacity to multiply in soils aquatic and play an important role in how other microscopic organisms will be distributed. They have managed to prosper more than other algae because They secrete mucilage that adheres them to bentos and allows them to slide to move.

If you want to know more about unicellular algae: what are, characteristics, types and examples, you can read this other article.

Sea pastures (RUPPIACEAE, Posidoniaceae, Cymodoceaceae, Zosteraceae)

They are typical of marine waters and it is not about algae, but they are properly upper plants that produce flowers. They grow abundantly in calls marine meadows. They need to be close to the surface where the sun arrives, to complete photosynthesis.

They live rooted to the seabed strongly subject with their rhizomas so that the currents do not start them. Coral reefs protect them to reduce strong waves, demonstrating the importance of the coexistence of several organisms in benthic ecosystems.

They are important for marine ecosystems because they can:

• Host a wide variety of species.
• Produce oxygen.
• Protect against erosion.

If you want to read more articles similar to What are bentonic organisms: examples and characteristicswe recommend that you enter our biology category.