microfauna
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈfɔːnə/
noun
- Very small animals, especially those that live in soil, water, or on other organisms, and can only be seen with a microscope.
- A single drop of pond water can contain thousands of microfauna.
- Scientists study microfauna to understand how ecosystems function at a tiny scale.
- Microfauna like nematodes and protozoa play a key role in breaking down organic matter in the soil.