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Glossary |
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Seastar Biology The Study Bibliography and Weblinks
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Some definitions of terms and other organisms found in the New England rocky intertidal...
Aboral: Opposite to or away from the mouth Ascophyllum: Species of brown algae distinguished by compressed or inflated branchlets along the axis; common throughout the intertidal Biodiversity: The diversity of plant and animal life in a particular habitat Botrylloides diegense: Tunicate (urochordate); appear as little orange blobs Carcinus maenas: European green crab, invasive to the New England coast Chondrus crispus: Red algae existing in the lower intertidal; common name Irish moss Conspecific: Belonging to the same species Diurnal tide: Tidal pattern with one high and low tide each day Enteromorpha (Ulva): Green algae Fucus: Brown algae that exist at various intertidal heights, species include vesiculosis, spiralis, distichus Hemigrapsus sanguineus: Asian shore crab, invasive to the New England intertidal ibutton: Small, round device capable of recording temperature Intertidal: The zone between the high and low water marks Keystone species: Species that have effects on their communities that are proportionately much greater than their abundance Littorina: Periwinkles that inhabit all zones of the intertidal; species include littorea, obtusata, and saxatilus Mixed semi-diurnal tide: Tidal pattern with two successive high tides of different heights each day Morphology: The form, shape, and/or structure of an organism Mytilus edulis: Common or Blue mussel; about 4-5 cm in length and has a pointed wedge-shaped end Nucella lapillus: Predatory snail, comes in a variety of color morphs Polysiphonia lanosa: Red algae, found associated with Ascophyllum Semibalanus balanoides: Acorn barnacle, found in the mid intertidal region Semi-diurnal tide: Tidal pattern with two high and two low tides each day Substrate: The material upon or within which a plant or animal lives or grows Subtidal: The zone that is below the low-tide mark and is always submerged in the water Swell: Waves caused by wind and weather from a long distance off Tidal range: The vertical distance between the high and low tide
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