noun
- Plural of pleuston; organisms that float or drift on the surface of water, including both the upper surface (neuston) and lower surface (hyponeuston) communities.
Usage: technical; biology; ecology
Examples
- Marine biologists study pleustons to understand surface ecosystem dynamics.
- Pleustons include water striders, floating seaweed, and various microorganisms.
- The diversity of pleustons varies seasonally in coastal waters.
- Pleustons are adapted to life at the air-water interface.