GLOSSARY
Below you will find a listing of biological terms that may help you in your understanding of the material presented in this website.
algivorean organism whose diet consists of algae.
asexual reproductionvegetative growth through mitosis.
benthosthe organisms associated with the seafloor.
bioturbationthe physical turnover of sediment due to the activities of living organisms, including sediment burrowers and surface grazers. Can have significant influences on the physical and chemical characteristics of sediments.
broodthe care of fertilized eggs inside or outside of the body; usually by the female.
buddinga process by which new individuals are formed from branching off a parent.
carnivorean organism that feeds on animals.
commensalisma symbiosis in which harm or mutual benefit is not obvious.
copulationthe physical transfer of gametes via a copulatory organ.
demersal
pertaining to something deposited on the seafloor.
deposit feedthe acquisition of nutrients from the sediment.
detritivorean organism that feeds on small bits of organic material.
direct developmentdevelopment in which a larval stage is lacking. Young are born bearing the appearance of an adult.
epifaunalbenthic organisms that live on the surface of the substratum.
errantanimals that are generally quite motile or active.
external fertilizationcombining of gametes outside of the body.
filter feedingestion of food via filtering of particles suspended in the water column.
fission (binary)division of one parent organism into 2 daughter organisms.
fragmentationdivision of one organism into multiple parts that eventually, each form a new organism.
gnathopodsan anteriorly placed enlarged appendage on an amphipod.
gonochoristic (dioecious)animals with separate sexes.
hermaphroditic (monoecious)animals that contain male and female gonads.
hydrostatic pressurethe pressure of fluid within a system.
in situregarding the original position or place of something.
indirect developmentdevelopment that has four or more stages, with each metamorphosing into the other.
infaunalbenthic organisms that burrow within the substrata.
internal fertilizationcombining of gametes inside of the body, usually via a copulatory apparatus (e.g., penis).
intersitial faunatiny organisms that inhabit the spaces between sand grains.
lophophorea horseshoe shaped fold of ciliated tentacles that encircles the mouth of a brachiopod.
meiobenthicinfaunal organisms passing through a .5 mm mesh sieve.
metamorphosisa dramatic physical change from one body form to another.
mutualisma symbiosis in which both organisms benefit.
neurotoxina protein that is toxic to the nervous system.
omnivorean organism that feeds on animals and plants.
oviparousanimals that give birth to fertilized eggs.
ovoviviparousanimals that brood fertilized eggs internally via a yolk sac.
parasitican animal that makes its life as a parasite.
parasitisma symbiosis by which the parasite receives benefit's at the host's expense.
parthenogenesisdevelopment of unfertilized eggs into viable adults.
periphytonmicroscopic organisms that live attached to underwater surfaces.
phytoplanktonplant plankton.
planktonpelagic organisms inhabiting the water column that float and drift with the currents.
probiscisan extensible tubular process of the head or gut used in feeding.
radulaa toothed tongue-like strap in molluscs used for feeding.
regenerationregrowth of a lost "part" of an organism.
scavengerorganisms that feed on the dead bodies of other organisms.
self fertilizationcombination of eggs and sperm within the same organism. Only in hermaphrodites.
setosechitinous bristles.
sexual reproductionmeiotic formation of haploid gametes, and subsequent fusion to form a diploid zygote.
sexually dimorphicdifferent sexes of the same species appearing dissimilar.
spatan oyster larvae settling onto substrate.
suspension feedselective removal and capture of organic matter from the water.
symbiosisa lifestyle involving an intimate association between two organisms.
trophicof or pertaining to nutrition, and the relationships of organisms in a food web .
viviparousanimals that brood fertilized eggs (embryos) internally, and nourish them directly.
zooplanktonanimal plankton.
zooxanthellea symbiotic dinoflagellate living in the body of cnidarians that uses photosynthesis to create food for itself and its host.
