demerser

Demerser is a term used in marine biology to describe organisms that live on or near the seabed. These creatures inhabit the benthic zone, which is the ecological region at the lowest level of a body of water such as an ocean or lake, including the sediment surface and some sub-surface layers. Demersal fish, for example, are a type of fish that lives and feeds on or near the bottom of the sea. Examples of demersal species include various flatfish like flounder and sole, as well as cod and other bottom-dwelling fish.

The habitat of demersal organisms can vary greatly, ranging from shallow coastal areas with sandy or muddy bottoms to deep-sea trenches. They often have adaptations suited to their environment, such as flattened bodies to navigate the seabed, specialized mouths for sifting through sediment, or camouflage to blend in with their surroundings. These adaptations help them find food, avoid predators, and reproduce in their specific ecological niche. The study of demersal life is important for understanding ocean ecosystems and managing fisheries, as many commercially important species are demersal.