Marine Biology: Grow Your Vocabulary, #1

By Blake Pieck

1st Edition and we are exploring 1200+ words related to Marine Biology.

Dive into the fascinating world of marine biology with this Marine Biology Dictionary. Whether you're a curious nature enthusiast, a student, or a seasoned marine biologist, this book is your ultimate companion in unraveling the secrets of the ocean and its incredible inhabitants.

Embark on a journey through the vast seas and explore a vast collection of marine life terminologies and definitions. From the shimmering coral reefs to the mysterious depths of the abyss, this dictionary covers a wide range of topics, ensuring that you'll find answers to all your marine-related queries.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blake Pieck
• Release date: Sep 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223750291

Book preview

Marine Biology Dictionary

A

Abalone   -   Mollusks, Gastropods   -   Edible marine snails known for their iridescent inner shell. Abalones are popular in various cuisines and are also sources for decorative shells and pearls.

Aboral   -   Nudibranchs   -   Refers to the surface opposite to the mouth in animals. In nudibranchs, it's the dorsal side.

Abyssal   -   Environment   -   Refers to the deepest parts of the ocean, where cetaceans like the sperm whale may dive.

Abyssal Cetaceans   -   Cetaceans   -   Refers to cetaceans that inhabit the abyssal zone, the deep parts of the ocean. Examples include certain species of beaked whales.

Abyssal Plain   -   Geography   -   The vast, flat, sediment-covered areas of the deep ocean floor.

Abyssal Zone   -   Habitat   -   The deep-sea environment where some mollusks and echinoderms can be found.

Acantharia   -   Plankton   -   A group of radiolarians, single-celled planktonic organisms with intricate mineral skeletons.

Acanthaster   -   Cnidarians, Starfish   -   A genus of large and venomous starfish, best known for the species Acanthaster planci, commonly known as the crown-of-thorns starfish.

Acanthephyra   -   Plankton   -   A genus of deep-sea shrimp which are sometimes found in plankton samples.

Acanthobdella   -   Leeches, Sea Worms   -   A genus of leeches that has characteristics both of leeches and oligochaetes, making it a transitional form between the two groups.

Acanthocephala   -   Echinoderms,  Parasites, Class   -   A class of echinoderms that existed in the Paleozoic era.  A group of parasitic worms that can affect various marine animals, including cetaceans.

Acanthoid   -   Echinoderms, Anatomy   -   Referring to a structure or feature covered in spines or thorn-like projections, seen in some echinoderms.

Acanthophragmella   -   Sponges   -   An extinct genus of sponges.

Acanthostyles   -   Sponges   -   Spiky spicules found in certain sponges that help to provide structural support.

Accessory Gills   -   Mollusks, Respiration   -   Additional respiratory structures in some mollusks that assist the main gills in gas exchange.

Acephalic   -   Cetaceans   -   Refers to a rare condition where a cetacean is born without a head. Documented in certain species and is usually the result of developmental abnormalities.

Acetabulum   -   Cephalopods, Anatomy   -   The socket or cup-shaped sucker on the arms of cephalopods.

Achelia   -   Sea Spiders   -   Pycnogonids that might be found in marine environments alongside cnidarians.

Acicula   -   Nudibranchs   -   A needle-like structure that provides support in some parts of nudibranchs' bodies.

Acicular   -   Anatomy   -   Refers to needle-like structures. In the context of echinoderms, it could describe certain types of spines.

Acidianus   -   Plankton   -   A genus of single-celled extremophiles that can sometimes be found in plankton samples from extreme environments.

Acidic Capsules   -   Nudibranchs   -   Some nudibranchs have specialized acidic capsules that they can use for defense against predators.

Acorn Worm   -   Hemichordates, Sea Worms   -   A type of marine worm that lives in U-shaped burrows in shallow waters, feeding on suspended particles.

Acosmeryx   -   Nudibranchs   -   A genus of nudibranchs.

Acosmia   -   Polychaetes,  Sea Worms, Nudibranchs   -   A genus of sea snails related to nudibranchs. A genus of marine polychaete worms, part of the family Phyllodocidae.

Acoustic Location   -   Cetaceans, Behaviour   -   The process used by cetaceans to determine the location of objects using echolocation.

Acoustics In Cetaceans   -   Cetaceans   -   The study of how cetaceans produce, receive, and interpret sound. Given that vision is often limited in the water, many cetaceans rely heavily on sound for communication, echolocation, and navigation.

Acrania   -   Primitive Marine Animals   -   Referring to animals that lack a skull, which is an ancestral trait.

Acropora   -   Cnidarians, Coral   -   A genus of stony corals that are major reef-builders in tropical oceans.

Acrorhagus   -   General   -   The specialized stinging tentacles of certain anemones that some nudibranchs are immune to and feed upon.

Actinopharynx   -   General   -   The throat or incurrent siphon in sea anemones and corals, which some nudibranchs prey on.

Actinotroch   -   Plankton   -   Larval form of certain marine phoronids, a type of worm that may be found in plankton samples.

Actinula   -   Cnidarians,  Plankton, Life Stage   -   A stage in the life cycle of certain cnidarians, especially hydrozoans. A larval form seen in some hydrozoan species.

Adaptations For Deep Diving In Cetaceans   -   Cetaceans   -   The various physiological and anatomical adaptations cetaceans have evolved to dive deep, such as collapsible lungs, high myoglobin concentration, and specialized blood flow patterns.

Adductor Muscle   -   Mollusks, Bivalves   -   The muscle used by bivalve mollusks, such as clams and mussels, to close their shells. When cooked, it's the part commonly eaten in dishes like fried clams.

Adelphinidae   -   Cetaceans, Dolphins   -   The family that includes many species of oceanic dolphins.

Adhesive Papillae   -   Nudibranchs   -   Tiny, sticky structures that many nudibranchs have on their underside to help them adhere to surfaces.

Adhesive Tube Feet   -   Echinoderms, Anatomy   -   Tube feet that produce adhesive substances, allowing echinoderms like sea stars to cling to surfaces.

Adult Tunic   -   Tunicates, Sea Squirts   -   The thick, tough, and often leathery outer body covering of sea squirts, protecting them and providing structural support.

Aeolid   -   Nudibranchs   -   A type of nudibranch characterized by cerata, finger-like projections on their back.

Aeolidiella   -   Nudibranchs   -   A genus of aeolid nudibranchs.

Aeolidioidea   -   Nudibranchs   -   A superfamily of aeolid nudibranchs.

Aeolis   -   Nudibranchs   -   A genus of nudibranch.

Aequorea   -   Cnidarians, Jellyfish   -   A genus of cnidarians best known for the species Aequorea victoria, from which green fluorescent protein (GFP) was discovered.

Aequorea Victoria   -   Plankton   -   A particular species of jellyfish known for its green fluorescent protein which has become a vital tool in molecular biology.

Aerenchyma   -   Seagrasses/marine Plants   -   A spongy tissue containing large intercellular air spaces, which allows for gas exchange in aquatic plants, including many seagrasses.

Aerial Behavior   -   Cetaceans, Behavior   -   When cetaceans breach, jump, or display other behaviors above the water's surface.

Aerial Behaviors In Dolphins   -   Cetaceans,  Dolphins, Odontoceti   -   Refers to behaviors like breaching, jumping, or leaping out of the water, often believed to be a form of play, communication, or a way to dislodge parasites.

Aerobic Respiration   -   Physiology   -   The process of producing energy with the use of oxygen. Both mollusks and echinoderms undergo aerobic respiration.

Aeroembolism   -   Cetaceans, Health   -   The formation of gas bubbles in the bloodstream, a concern when cetaceans surface rapidly.

Aerosolization   -   Plankton   -   The process by which some marine plankton release particles into the air, influencing weather and climate.

Aesthetasc   -   Sea Worms   -   Sensory organs, especially in polychaete worms, that are sensitive to chemical stimuli and aid in locating food or mates.

Aesthetes   -   Nudibranchs   -   Specialized sensory organs in some nudibranchs.

Aestivation   -   Mollusks, Gastropods   -   A state of dormancy or torpor during dry or hot periods. Some mollusks, like certain snails, undergo aestivation to conserve water.

Agar   -   Marine Plants   -   A gelatinous substance derived from red algae and used in various products, from culinary dishes to scientific media.

Aggregata   -   Nudibranchs   -   A genus of parasitic coccidians that may infect some nudibranch species.

Aggregating Anemone   -   General   -   An anemone species that some nudibranchs feed on.

Agonistic Behavior   -   Cetaceans, Behavior   -   Aggressive or combative behavior, often observed during competitive interactions.

Albinism   -   Genetics   -   A condition where an animal lacks pigment, resulting in white or translucent coloration. Both mollusks and echinoderms can exhibit albinism.

Albino Cetaceans   -   Cetaceans   -   Refers to cetaceans that lack pigmentation, resulting in white or pinkish skin and eyes. Albinism is rare but has been documented in several cetacean species.

Alcidae   -   Birds   -   Refers to a family of seabirds that includes puffins and guillemots. While not cetaceans or cnidarians, they often interact with these marine species.

Alciopidae   -   Polychaetes, Sea Worms   -   A family of free-swimming polychaetes, characterized by their unique eyes and pelagic habitat.

Alcyonacea   -   Cnidarians, Soft Corals   -   A group that includes many species of soft corals.

Alcyonarian Coral   -   General   -   A soft coral that is a food source for some nudibranchs.

Alcyonidium   -   Bryozoans   -   A genus of encrusting bryozoans commonly found in marine habitats. They are often gelatinous in appearance.

Alcyoniina   -   Cnidarians, Soft Corals   -   A suborder of octocorals commonly referred to as soft corals.

Alderia   -   Nudibranchs   -   A genus of sacoglossan sea slugs closely related to nudibranchs.

Algae   -   Marine Plants   -   Simple autotrophic organisms that can perform photosynthesis. They range from microscopic phytoplankton to macroscopic forms like seaweeds.

Algal Bloom   -   Marine Plants   -   A rapid increase in the population of algae in an aquatic system, often a result of excess nutrients.

Alimentary Canal   -   Digestion   -   The entire path through which food travels, including the mouth, stomach, intestines, and anus.

Allochthonous   -   Plankton   -   Referring to sources of organic or inorganic matter that originate from outside the aquatic environment, but can influence plankton populations.

Allomaternal Care   -   Cetaceans, Behavior   -   When an individual provides maternal care to offspring that are not her own.

Allopatric Speciation   -   Cetaceans, Evolution   -   When species form due to a geographic barrier resulting in gene pool separation.

Alternation Of Generations   -   Marine Plants   -   A reproductive cycle where plants alternate between a sexual phase (gametophyte) and an asexual phase (sporophyte).

Alveolate   -   Plankton   -   A major lineage of eukaryotic cells which includes many common planktonic forms such as dinoflagellates.

Alveopora   -   Cnidarians, Coral   -   A genus of stony corals known for their unique polyp structure.

Amazon River Dolphin   -   Cetaceans,  Dolphins, Odontoceti   -   Also known as the pink river dolphin or boto, it's a freshwater dolphin found in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins.

Ambergris   -   Cetaceans, Substance   -   A waxy substance produced in the intestines of sperm whales, historically used in perfumery.

Ambulacral Groove   -   Echinoderms, Echinoids   -   A radial groove on the oral side of echinoderms, particularly sea stars, containing the tube feet which are used for movement and capturing food.

Ambulacrum   -   Nudibranchs   -   A row of tube feet, or the area in echinoderms (not nudibranchs) containing a row of tube feet, but important for understanding marine biology and evolutionary relationships.

Ampharetidae   -   Polychaetes, Sea Worms   -   A family of marine polychaete worms, typically found in deep-sea environments.

Amphiblastula   -   Sponges   -   A type of larva found in certain sponges, characterized by an outer layer of flagellated cells and an inner mass of non-flagellated cells.

Amphidromous   -   Plankton   -   Refers to species that migrate between freshwater and the sea but not for the purpose of breeding. Some planktonic species demonstrate this behavior.

Amphioxus   -      -   Not directly a sea squirt or sea worm, but a lancelet, a primitive chordate that shares some similarities with tunicates.

Amphipod   -   Plankton   -   A type of small crustacean commonly found in plankton samples.

Amphiprioninae   -   Cnidarians, Clownfish   -   A subfamily of clownfish that often have mutualistic relationships with anemones.

Amphitrite   -   Polychaetes, Sea Worms   -   A genus of marine polychaete worms belonging to the family Terebellidae. These worms are tube-dwelling and feed on detritus.

Ampulla   -   Echinoderms, Tube Feet   -   The bulbous part of a tube foot in echinoderms, helping to control the foot's extension and retraction.

Ampullae Of Lorenzini   -   Sensory Organs   -   Found in cartilaginous fishes, these are electroreceptors that detect electric fields. Relevant as some cnidarians produce electric fields.

Ampullae Of Lorenzini In Dolphins   -   Cetaceans, Odontoceti   -   Though more commonly associated with sharks, some research suggests that dolphins