daphnia

noun

daph·​nia ˈdaf-nē-ə How to pronounce daphnia (audio)
: any of a genus (Daphnia) of minute freshwater branchiopod crustaceans with biramous antennae used as locomotor organs compare water flea

Examples of daphnia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tiny snails and shrimp known as daphnia eat algae and provide additional food for the fish. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2024 The larvae require good water quality and eat live food, like baby brine shrimp, the tiny crustaceans daphnia, and blackworms, which the zoo staff raises. Don Lyman, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Apr. 2023 On the third day, the daphnia were fed to tanks of carp. Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2012 The larvae feed on tiny crustaceans, like daphnia, initially. BostonGlobe.com, 24 Mar. 2021

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of daphnia was in 1847

Dictionary Entries Near daphnia

Cite this Entry

“Daphnia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/daphnia. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

daphnia

noun
daph·​nia ˈdaf-nē-ə How to pronounce daphnia (audio)
: any of a genus of tiny water fleas with antennae used for movement
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