Hyperbenthos is a distinct assemblage of small animals
occurring in the water layer adjacent to the sea bottom,
and is analogous to “benthopelagic” plankton in the open
ocean or to “demersal” zooplankton in reef systems. The
hyperbenthos includes resident species, demersal zooplankton
during their downward excursion and endo- or
epibenthic species that emerge into the water column as
part of their diel cycles (see review of Mees & Jones 1997).
The most common representatives of the hyperbenthos are
amphipods, mysids, decapods, and isopods. From a trophodynamic
viewpoint, hyperbenthos, together with zooplankton,
are important dietary components of a variety of
fishes and large invertebrates (McCall & Fleeger 1995,
Mees & Jones 1997).