mesobiota

views updated May 23 2018

mesobiota (mesofauna, mesoflora) A general term for soil organisms of intermediate size. ‘Mesofauna’ in particular refers to small, invertebrate animals found in the soil, characteristically annelids, arthropods, nematodes, and molluscs. These organisms are readily removed from a soil sample using a tullgren funnel or similar device. Compare MACROBIOTA and MICROBIOTA.

mesobiota

views updated May 29 2018

mesobiota A general term for soil organisms of intermediate size. Compare macrobiota and microbiota.