ScienceAugust 16, 2026

biota

by-OH-tuh

Definition

The animal and plant life of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'bios' meaning 'life', the term was coined in the 20th century by biologists to describe the total collection of organisms within a specific environment.

In the news

The article refers to the 'Luoping biota' as the specific fossil site in Yunnan Province, representing an ancient ecosystem that preserved the remains of the newly discovered reptile.

Chinese scientists uncover ancient reptile built for life in water

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