marine bio exam

Coral

A marine invertebrate that forms large colonies of polyps and is a key component of coral reefs.

Coralite

The cup-shaped limestone skeleton in which a coral polyp sits

Bleaching

The process where corals expel their symbiotic zooxanthellae, leading to a white appearance and potential coral death.

Zooxanthellae

Photosynthetic algae that live in coral tissues and provide energy to corals through photosynthesis.

Mollusks

A diverse group of invertebrates that include snails, clams, and octopuses, characterized by a soft body and often a hard shell.

Umbo

The raised, rounded part of a bivalve shell, typically located at the hinge.

Oldest part of the shell

Hinge Teeth

Small projections on the hinge of a bivalve shell that interlock with corresponding teeth on the opposite shell for stability.

Nacre

Also known as mother-of-pearl, it is the iridescent inner layer of some mollusk shells, produced by the mantle.

Operculum

A hard protective covering that closes the opening of a mollusk's shell when it retracts its body.

Apex

The topmost point of a shell or the highest point of a mollusk's body.

Adductor Muscles

Muscles in bivalves that hold the two shell halves together and allow them to open and close.

Pearl

A hard, round object produced within the soft tissue of a mollusk, often used in jewelry.

Hinge Ligament

The elastic structure that connects the two halves of a bivalve shell, allowing it to open and close.

Chromatophores

Pigment-containing cells in some marine animals that allow them to change color for camouflage or communication.

Papillae

Small, nipple-like projections on the surface of some marine animals, often involved in sensory functions.

Hectocotylus

A modified arm in male cephalopods used for transferring sperm to females.

Whorls

Spiral arrangements of shells or structures in some mollusks.

Radula

A toothed, chitinous ribbon used by mollusks to scrape food from surfaces.

Lateral Symmetry

A body plan in which the left and right sides of an organism are mirror images.

Dorsoventral Flattening

A body shape that is flattened from top to bottom, common in some marine organisms.

Bony Fish

Fish that have a skeleton made of bone, as opposed to cartilage, and are the most diverse group of vertebrates.

Sexual Dichromatism

The phenomenon where males and females of the same species exhibit different coloration.

Homocercal Tail

A tail fin in fish that is symmetrical, with both lobes being equal in size.

Prehensile Tail

A tail that is capable of grasping or holding objects, often found in some species of fish and reptiles.

Slime

A viscous secretion produced by some marine animals for protection or locomotion.

Attenuated

Describing a body shape that is elongated and tapered, often seen in certain fish.

Fusiform

A streamlined body shape that tapers at both ends, commonly found in fast-swimming fish.

Compressed

A body shape that is flattened from side to side, typical in some species of fish.

Ctenoid and Cycloid Scales

Types of fish scales; ctenoid scales have comb-like edges, while cycloid scales are smooth and rounded.

Depressed

A body shape that is flattened from top to bottom, often seen in bottom-dwelling fish.

Lateral Line

A sensory system in fish that detects water movements and vibrations.

Forward Mouth

A mouth position that is oriented towards the front of the head, facilitating a predatory lifestyle.

Swim Bladder

An internal gas-filled organ that helps bony fish maintain buoyancy.

Ampullae of Lorenzini

Electroreceptive organs in sharks and rays that detect electric fields in the water.

Dorsoventrally Flat

A body shape that is flattened from the back to the belly, characteristic of rays and skates.

angel shark + carpet shark

Ventral Mouth

A mouth located on the underside of an animal, common in bottom-feeding species.

Oily Liver

A liver that contains high levels of oil, providing buoyancy and energy storage in sharks.

Tail Smacking

A behavior in which sharks or rays hit the water surface with their tails, often used during hunting.

thresher shark

Nictitating Membrane

A protective third eyelid found in some marine animals, including sharks.

Spiracle

A small opening behind the eyes of some fish, allowing them to breathe while partially buried in sand.

angel shark

Ambush Predation

A hunting strategy where predators remain hidden and strike quickly at unsuspecting prey.

wobegong shark

Planktivore

An organism that primarily feeds on plankton.

Counter-shading

A form of camouflage where an animal is darker on the top and lighter on the bottom, helping it blend into its environment.

Dermal Denticles

Small, tooth-like structures on the skin of sharks that reduce drag and provide protection.

Intrauterine Cannibalism

A reproductive strategy where embryos consume their siblings while still in the womb, observed in some shark species.

sand tiger shark

Oophagy

A form of intrauterine cannibalism where embryos feed on unfertilized eggs produced by the mother.

Embryophagy

A form of intrauterine cannibalism where embryos consume their siblings during development.

Vegetarian

Referring to marine mammals like manatees and dugongs that primarily feed on aquatic plants.

Spermacetti

A waxy substance found in the head of sperm whales, used for buoyancy and echolocation.

Baleen

A filter-feeding system in toothless whales, made of keratin, used to strain food from water.

Beach Master

A dominant male elephant seal that controls a harem of females during the breeding season.

Super Weaner

A term for a young elephant seal that is weaned and able to hunt independently.

Raft

A group of seals or sea otters that rest together on the water's surface.

Wooly

Referring to marine mammals with thick fur or blubber for insulation in cold waters.

gastropoda

stomach foot, includes snails and slugs

cephalopoda

head foot, includes squid and octopus

bivalves

2 shelled mollusks

include clams, oysters, and mussels