What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
necton
Example
The school of fish is an example of necton. [necton: noun]
Example
The dolphin is a nectonic animal that can swim at high speeds. [nectonic: adjective]
benthos
Example
The sea anemone is an example of benthos. [benthos: noun]
Example
The crab is a benthic animal that crawls along the ocean floor. [benthic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Benthos is more commonly used than necton in scientific literature and everyday language. Benthos is a widely recognized term in marine biology, while necton is less common and may be unfamiliar to some people.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between necton and benthos?
Both terms are formal and technical words used in the field of marine biology. However, benthos is more commonly used and may be more familiar to people outside the scientific community.
