Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun biology
marine detritus , ofplant origin, that slowly sinks to the depths and is the food source for abyssal benthic communities
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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"We speculate that this is part of a reproductive strategy allowing juveniles to feed off the remains of phytoplankton, 'phytodetritus', that rapidly sinks to the seafloor following the spring bloom," says Patrick Martin.
PhysOrg.com - latest science and technology news stories 2010
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Because these fish are eating spinach could they then possibly feed on phytodetritus and so be affected by changes in phytoplankton communities as a result of climate change?
TreeHugger 2010
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