BENTHOS &#151;All the plant and animals living on or closely associated with the bottom of a body of water (within or attached to the sediment of lakes, streams, and oceans).
(animals; living; L:on) (animals living on; closely associated; with the bottom of a body of water (within or attached to the sediment of lakes, streams, and oceans)
animals animals living on
living closely associated
L:on
with the bottom of a body of water (within or attached to the sediment of lakes, streams, and oceans