Introduction

Abstract

The term nekton was suggested and used for the first time in 1890 by E. Haeckel in his book Plankton-Studien. Etymologically the word nekton derives from the Greek νηκτηρ, i.e. swimming. As Haeckel defined it, nekton describes collectively all swimming animals that are ‘free to choose their path’, i.e. can resist a strong current of water and, distinct from planktonic animals, go where they wish.