periphyton

Term: periphyton

Literally meaning: “planted all over”

Origin: Anc Greek

περί-/peri- (=combining form meaning  “around”)

+ φυτόν/phyto(=plant) > φύω/phyo(=germinate, grow)

Coined/History

Although the term is used in general for all aquatic organisms on any submerged substrate the word “periphyton” was initially coined by Russian biologists, concerning  assemblages of microorganisms that grew to artificial substrates in water.

Definition

Periphyton is a complex mixture of algae and heterotrophic microorganisms that is attached to submerged surfaces in most aquatic ecosystems. Periphyton is  providing food for invertebrates.