Epipelic is a word used to describe organisms that live at the bottom of freshwater or marine environments. Some synonyms for epipelic include benthic, littoral, and shoal-dwelling. Benthic refers to the bottom of any body of water and includes both epipelagic and deep-sea habitats. Littoral refers to the zone between the highest and lowest tide marks and includes intertidal, supratidal, and subtidal habitats. Shoal-dwelling refers specifically to organisms that live in shallow-water areas and includes riverbanks, estuaries, and deltas. These terms are useful for scientists studying aquatic ecosystems, as they provide a specific way to describe where organisms live and their interactions with their environment.