microfauna

[ mahy-kroh-faw-nuh ]

noun

, (used with a singular or plural verb)

, plural mi·cro·fau·nas, mi·cro·fau·nae [mahy-kroh-, faw, -nee].

1. Biology. microscopic animals.
2. Ecology. the fauna of a microhabitat.

Other Words From

• micro·faunal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of microfauna¹

First recorded in 1900–05; micro- + fauna