Pelagic community

Pronunciation
/puh-LLJ-ik/
Category
Marine Biology
Plural
Pelagic communities

Definition

A community of organisms that live in the open ocean, away from the coast and seafloor.

Etymology

From Latin *pelagius*, meaning 'of the open sea'.

Example

The pelagic community is rich in diverse species of fish, jellyfish, squid, and other marine animals.

Related Terms

  • Open ocean
  • Marine ecosystem