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Nekton

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nekton: see marine biology marine biology, study of ocean plants and animals and their ecological relationships. Marine organisms may be classified (according to their mode of life) as nektonic, planktonic, or benthic. Nektonic animals are those that swim and migrate freely, e.g.
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nekton [′nek·tən]
(invertebrate zoology)
Free-swimming aquatic animals, essentially independent of water movements.

Nekton 

the division of the pelagic population that comprises the free-swimming animals. Nekton are capable of withstanding the force of the ocean current and are able to travel over long distances. Fish, squids, cetaceans, pinnipeds, sea snakes, turtles, and penguins constitute the nekton group. A streamlined body shape and a well-developed locomotory apparatus are characteristic of nekton.

In complete contrast to the nekton are the plankton, which are helplessly carried by the ocean currents. The micronekton, represented by animals capable of limited active locomotion, occupy an intermediate position between the plankton and nekton. The micronekton include fry and small species of fish and squids, the larger members of the suborder Natantia, and the euphausiids.



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Spatial and temporal changes in the nekton of the Terminos Lagoon, Campeche, Mexico.
The importance of plankton and nekton distributions in Ordovician palaeogeographical reconstructions.
Sampling the Sargassum fauna includes collecting the habitat as well, and the density of the habitat coupled with the three dimensional layering of associated nekton reduce the efficiencies of most sampling gear (especially dip nets).
 
 
 
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