microfauna

noun

mi·​cro·​fau·​na ˌmī-krō-ˈfȯ-nə How to pronounce microfauna (audio)
-ˈfä-
1
: minute animals
especially : those invisible to the naked eye
the soil microfauna
2
: a small or strictly localized fauna (as of a microenvironment)
microfaunal adjective

Examples of microfauna in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Reefs in other isolated locations, such as the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Mozambique Canal, also are likely to have unique microfauna and microbiofauna. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 2 June 2023 The museum's exhibits also include some of the world's largest megafauna, thought to be 50,000 to 100,000 years old, and a variety of microfauna. CNN, 17 July 2022 To get the award-winning shot, Weston used a 1970s microscope and created a saline solution to hold the microfauna. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Aug. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'microfauna.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of microfauna was in 1895

Dictionary Entries Near microfauna

Cite this Entry

“Microfauna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microfauna. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

microfauna

noun
mi·​cro·​fau·​na ˌmī-krō-ˈfȯn-ə, -ˈfän- How to pronounce microfauna (audio)
: minute animals
especially : those invisible to the naked eye
the soil microfauna
compare macrofauna
microfaunal adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on microfauna

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