Definition: an animal that excavates holes or tunnels into soil or benthic sediment to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct of locomotion. Inhabited burrows function as a refuge, protecting the inhabitants from predation and environmental extremes. They provide physical support for the digging and feeding activities of the burrow inhabitants. The harsh chemical environment deep in aquatic burrows must be counteracted by active or passive irrigation of burrow water.
Definition: The marine benthic biome (benthic meaning 'bottom') encompasses the seafloor and includes such areas as shores, littoral or intertidal areas, marine coral reefs, and the deep seabed.
Definition: Lecithotrophic larvae are provided with a source of nutrition to use during their dispersal, usually a yolk sac. They generally have greater dispersal potential than direct developers, but short pelagic larval durations relative to planktotrophic larvae.
Definition: Planktotrophic species generally have fairly long pelagic larval durations and feed while in the water column. Consequentially, they have the potential to disperse long distances.
Definition: An organism which obtains food primarily by surface deposit feeding. Reid WDK, Wigham BD, McGill RAR, Polunin NVC (2012) Elucidating trophic pathways in benthic deep-sea assemblages of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge north and south of the Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 463:89-103. doi:10.3354/meps09863
