Glossary

176 terms beginning with C · showing 121–160

1. contiguous

   Touching but not physically joined; sharing a common boundary.

   Used in 7 profiles

2. convergence

   The tendency of unrelated animals and plants to evolve superficially comparable characteristics under similar environmental conditions.

3. convergent evolution

   Independant acquisition of the same biological trait in unrelated, monophyletic, lineages as a result of inhabiting similar environments or ecological niches.

   Used in 3 profiles

4. convex

   Arched; curved outwards. Oppsite of concave.

   Used in 39 profiles

5. copepod

   Any member of the subclass Copepoda, a group of small marine and freshwater crustaceans of which the planktonic species are important to global ecology, forming the main constituent of oceanic zooplankton. Some species are parasites of fishes.

   Used in 6 profiles

6. copiotrophic

   Refers to bodies of water containing high levels of nutrients. Opposite of oligotrophic.

7. coprophagy

   Feeding on excrement, a behavioural adaptation seen in numerous fishes.

8. coracoid

   Paired endochondral bone located at the base of the pectoral fin upon which rest the pterygials or actinosts. Attaches to the cleithrum anteriorly.

   Used in 18 profiles

9. coral

   Any marine animal of the class Anthozoa, these being characterised by possessing a horny or calcareous skeleton, aggregations of which form coral reefs and islands.

   Used in 13 profiles

10. coral reef

    Erosion-resistant aquatic structure formed from living corals, their rock-like skeletal secretions and calcium carbonate deposits from other organisms such as calcareous algae, molluscs, and protozoans.

11. coral sand

    Sand originating from marine environments via bioerosion of the calcareous skeletal structures possessed by some organisms. Coral is not the chief constituent, however, with the majority of material deriving from foraminifera, calcareous algae, molluscs, and crustaceans.

    Used in 6 profiles

12. coralline algae

    Any red algae of the order Corallinales, characterised by possession of a hard thallus containing calcareous deposits. Often pink, purple or red in colour.

13. corrigendum

    A corrective note published in order to cite errors from an earlier work alongside their corrections.

14. cortisol

    Steroid hormone released by the cortex (outer portion) of the adrenal gland as a response to stress.

15. costia

    See costiasis.

16. costiasis

    Disease of freshwater fishes caused by species of parasitic flagellate protozoa from the genus Ichthyobodo and more accurately referred to as ichthyobodiosis. It attacks the gills, fins and skin with symptoms including an increase body mucus secretion giving rise to the vernacular term 'skin slime disease'. Can be treated using proprietary products but frequently fatal otherwise.

17. cotton wool disease

    See Saprolegnia.

18. cotype

    Term formerly used in zoological taxonomy and equivalent to the modern terms syntype and paratype but no longer valid according to the ICZN code.

19. countershading

    Form of camouflage in which an organism possesses darker pigmentation on the parts of the body exposed to light and paler on those normally shaded. Many fishes are coloured darker dorsally and lighter ventrally for this purpose.

    Used in 4 profiles

20. couplet

    A pair of descriptive statements. Often used in species identification keys to offer the reader a choice resulting in identification of a species or continuation to the next couplet.

21. courtship

    Any behavioural interaction between male and female individuals which leads to or initiates spawning.

    Used in 264 profiles

22. courtship ritual

    Complex, genetically-determined sequence of behaviour, usually employing a combination of visual, auditory and chemical stimuli taking place before spawning. Either or both sexes may be the protagonist.

    Used in 2 profiles

23. cranial

    Of or relating to the cranium or skull.

    Used in 6 profiles

24. cranium

    The skull, particularly the section enclosing the brain.

    Used in 8 profiles

25. crater lake

    Type of lake formed by accummulation of water in a volvanic crater or caldera.

    Used in 7 profiles

26. crenate

    Having a margin or edge consisting of shallow, rounded or scalloped projections. Similar to crenulate.

27. crenulate

    Having a finely crenate edge or margin.

28. crepuscular

    Active during twilight.

    Used in 1 profile

29. crest

    Bony or fleshy ridge on the head or certain parts of the body, e.g., the caudal peduncle.

    Used in 40 profiles

30. crevicular

    Dwelling in crevices.

31. cross

    To crossbreed; an organism produced by crossbreeding; a hybrid

    Used in 58 profiles

32. crossbreed

    An organism with parents of two different breeds, races, varieties, or species; the process involved in producing such an organism.

    Used in 2 profiles

33. crustacean

    Any member of the predominantly aquatic arthropod grouping Crustacea which currently contains almost 70,000 recognised species, including all crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, krill and barnacles. It's difficult to define their characteristics since the group is of arguable hierarchical status, generally regarded to represent either a Phylum or Subphylum.

    Used in 421 profiles

34. cryptic

    In biology to refer to an organism or individual tending to conceal or camouflage itself, usually by some phenotypic or morphological means.

    Used in 39 profiles

35. ctenii

    The minute projections characteristic of ctenoid scales.

    Used in 1 profile

36. ctenoid

    Comblike; having an edge or margin with multiple, tiny projections resembling the teeth of a comb.

    Used in 13 profiles

37. ctenoid scale

    Scale type having ctenii on the posterior edge and a consequent rough texture.

    Used in 22 profiles

38. cubic centimeter

    A measurement of liquid, equivalent to a cube 1cm on each side (US spelling). Also known as a millilitre, since as it is one thousandth of a litre.

39. cubic centimetre

    A measurement of liquid, equivalent to a cube 1cm on each side. Also known as a millilitre, since it is one thousandth of a litre.

40. cuckoldry

    Behavioural strategy seen in certain nest-building fishes in which one or more males that are not an accepted part of a spawning event fertilise some eggs. Such individuals are commonly referred to as sneaker, sneaky or satellite males.