|
Aboral surface
|
upward facing side of an echinoderm
|
|
Algae
|
photosynthetic plants which may be single-celled or multi-celled, some (phytoplankton) float in the water while others (tuff and
macroalgae) form clumps or thick carpets on vacant surfaces, others (coralline algae) are encrusting and form a hard veneer on surfaces
|
|
Asexual reproduction
|
reproduction whereby new individuals are derived from a single parent without the production of gametes or reproductive structures
|
|
Biological control
|
limiting an organism's distribution and abundance by using its natural enemies (eg. predators, diseases) or by interfering with its life cycle
|
|
Caecum (caeca; plural)
|
organ used in the digestion and absorption of food
|
|
Cannibalism
|
an organism feeding on a member of the same species
|
|
Cilia
|
microscopic hairs on the surface of an organism
|
|
Coelom
|
fluid-filled cavity found in many different types of animals; usually contains main body organs
|
|
Commensals
|
organisms that usually live together for mutual benefit
|
|
Control techniques
|
methods used to exclude, remove or kill an organism
|
|
Corals
|
see question 1
|
|
Coral recovery
|
process that involves the re-establishment of corals in areas devastated by disturbances such as cyclones and outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish
|
|
Cryptic
|
well camouflaged or hidden from view
|
|
Digestion
|
process whereby food or nutrients are broken down (by physical or chemical means) into simpler forms which can be absorbed by body tissues
|
|
Enzyme
|
a highly specialised compound (protein) that is responsible for converting one substance (molecule) into another
|
|
Extraoral feeding
|
process of feeding whereby the stomach is everted through the mouth
|
|
Feeding scar
|
patch (white) of coral recently killed by a crown-of-thorns starfish
|
|
Fertilisation
|
union of an egg and sperm (gametes)
|
|
Gametes
|
cells (eg. eggs and sperm) which fuse du ring sexual reproduction to form early developmental stage (zygote) of new individual
|
|
Genus (genera; plural)
|
group of closely related species; often share a number of clearly recognisable characteristics; genera are grouped into families
|
|
Gonads
|
organs responsible for producing eggs or sperm in animals
|
|
Hard corals
|
corals which secrete a calcareous skeleton; responsible for forming reefs
|
|
Hypothesis
|
an argument or set of arguments which are assumed to explain the occurrence of particular events or phenomena; formulating and testing hypotheses are the basis of scientific investigation
|
|
Lagoon
|
body of protected water inside a reef; often surrounded by unbroken ramparts of coral
|
|
Larva (larvae; plural)
|
the immature form an animal may take between fertilisation and metamorphosis
|
|
Massive corals
|
coral colonies which generally are boulder-like
|
|
Metamorphosis
|
process during which there is a marked change in form; eg. crown-of-thorns starfish change from a larval form to juvenile starfish
|
|
Mortality
|
death; relative frequency of death in a population
|
|
Nematocysts
|
fluid-filled capsules (some contain poisons) used to capture organisms or repel predators; present in large numbers in stinging cells; often injected into prey
|
|
Nutrients
|
substances (elements, compounds) required to sustain life
|
|
Oral surface
|
downward facing side of most echinoderms - the surface including the mouth
|
|
Ossicles
|
primary building blocks of the internal skeleton of starfish; made of magnesium calcite and arranged to form lattice-like structures joined by connective tissue; strength of the skeleton depends on the amount of space between the blocks of skeleton
|
|
Outbreak (of starfish)
|
see question 10
|
|
Papula (papulae; plural)
|
a small blunt-tipped projection arising from the skin of starfish; provides an increased surface area used for diffusion of gases (02 in, CO2 out) (respiration)
|
|
Pheromone
|
chemical substance produced by an organism which affects the behaviour, reproduction or development of a nearby organism of the same species
|
|
Plankton
|
minute plants (phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton) which occur in the water column - the floating organisms of the sea
|
|
Predator
|
organism which captures and feeds on another
|
|
Prey
|
organism which is hunted and fed on by another
|
|
Primordium
|
large sack-like structure which develops prior to metamorphosis of some larvae (eg. crown-of-thorns starfish); thought to give rise to specific tissues or organs in the juvenile starfish
|
|
Reef back
|
the leeward or protected side of a reef
|
|
Reef front
|
the windward or exposed side of a reef
|
|
Scientific name
|
each organism is given a two-part name; the first describes the genus to which the organism belongs and the second refers to the species; names are given in latin according to an international set of rules
|
|
Settlement
|
process during which larvae search for, and attach to, a suitable substrate (surface) in preparation for metamorphosis
|
|
Sexual reproduction
|
reproduction in which gametes (generally from a male and a female) fuse to form a cell that develops into a new individual; gametes may come from one individual (hermaphrodite) or from separate male and female organisms
|
|
Soft corals
|
mostly colonial corals with 8 tentacles; gelatinous in form
|
|
Spawning
|
release of gametes into the water column; may be synchronous
|
|
Species
|
a group of organisms which normally can interbreed
|
|
Tagging
|
marking of an organism or group of organisms to enable recognition and tracking of individuals over given periods of time
|
|
Tube feet
|
small, cylindrical outgrowths which occur normally in rows (eg. Crown-of-thorns starfish) on the oral side of echinoderms; lowered or retracted by changes in pressure of coelomic fluid; used for movement, burrowing, sensing and respiration
|
About AIMS
