Mobility and Attachment Type
| Mobility |
Definition |
| Mobile |
| Swimmer |
An organism that moves through the water column via movements of its cilia, flagella, fins, legs or appendages, via undulatory movements of the body or via jet propulsion (e.g. Gadus, Loligo). |
| Crawler |
An organism that moves along on the substratum via movements of its legs, appendages or muscles (e.g. Carcinus). |
| Burrower |
An organism that lives or moves in a burrow (e.g. Arenicola). |
| Drifter |
An organism whose movement is dependent on wind or water currents (e.g. Aurelia). |
| Fixed |
| Permanent attachment |
Non-motile; permanently attached at the base (Lincoln, Boxshall and Clark 1998) (e.g. Caryophyllia). |
| Temporary attachment |
Temporary / sporadic attachment. Attached to a substratum but capable of movement across (or through) it (i.e. sedentary) (e.g. Actinia). |
References
- Lincoln, R., Boxshall, G. & Clark, P., 1998. A dictionary of ecology, evolution and systematics. Cambridge: Cambridge University of Press.
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