ScienceJuly 17, 2026
mesozooplankton
MEZ-oh-ZOH-uh-plangk-tuhn
Definition
A category of zooplankton typically ranging in body size from 0.2 to 20 millimeters, serving as a critical link in aquatic food webs.
Etymology
The word combines the Greek 'mesos' (middle) with 'zooplankton', which itself derives from the Greek 'zoion' (animal) and 'planktos' (wandering/drifting).
In the news
In this article, mesozooplankton are used as indicators of ecological shifts because their community compositions vary significantly over very small distances due to salinity and temperature changes. Studying these organisms helps reveal how localized environmental conditions structure coastal life.
Graphical Abstract (IMAGE)
Read the full article ↗EurekAlert!