hyperbentische

Hyperbentische, or hyperbenthic, describes organisms that inhabit the hyperbenthic zone—the layer of the water column immediately above the seafloor. This region lies between the epibenthon (organisms living on the sediment surface) and the pelagic zone of free-swimming organisms. Hyperbenthic communities are characterized by adaptations to near-bottom conditions and often show movements tied to tides, currents, or food availability.

Taxa commonly associated with the hyperbenthic zone include small crustaceans such as amphipods and isopods, copepods, various polychaete worms, and juvenile or larval stages of demersal fishes and invertebrates. The composition and abundance of hyperbenthic fauna vary with depth, substrate type, and hydrographic conditions. The hyperbenthic zone often acts as a conduit linking pelagic productivity with the benthos, contributing to nutrient cycling, detrital processing, and serving as prey for larger demersal predators.

Research methods for studying hyperbenthos combine near-bottom sampling with pelagic techniques. Tools such as benthic samplers, sediment traps, trawls, and underwater imaging are used to assess community structure, abundance, and seasonal changes. The concept is widely used in marine biology and oceanography, and in German-language literature the term hyperbenthische Fauna is commonly employed to describe hyperbenthic organisms and communities.