Zoology glossary ~ M

Zoology Glossary Index:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z



Macroevolution
Macroevolution

Microevolution
Microevolution

Melanism
An increase in the average amount of black or nearly black pigmentation in an organism or group of organisms, resulting from the presence of melanin.

Mendelian Trait
A trait that is regulated by a single locus and shows a simple Mendelian inheritance pattern.

Mammalia
Mammals, as a group of animals, belong to the Class Mammalia. The Class Mammalia, in turn, belongs to the larger group known as the vertebrates (animals with backbones; also called the Phylum Chordata).

Mandible
The lower portion of a bird's bill, also referred to as the lower mandible.

Mantle
A group of feathers located on the mid-back of a bird.

Mare
A female horse, more than four years old.

Mast
Nuts, large fruits, and other plant material that accumulates on the forest floor.

Maxilla
The upper part of a bird's bill, also referred to as the upper mandible.

Medusa
A stage in the life cycle of a coelenterate in which it is free-swimming.

Meiosis
The process of nuclear division in a cell that involves the reduction of the number of chromosomes by one half.

Mesoarchean
Mesoarchean

Mesoproterozoic
Mesoproterozoic

Metabolism
The sum of all of the chemical reactions that take place in an organism (or within an individual cell).

Metamorphosis
The process some animals undergo in which they change from an immature form to an adult form.

Microhabitat
The elements of a habitat that are used by an individual during its daily activities. Refers to a subset of conditions within a wider scope of habitat characteristics.

Migration
The annual movement of groups of animals between their breeding grounds and wintering sites.

Migratory Overshooting
A phenomenon in which migratory animals move along the correct route but travel beyond the normal distance and thus over-shoot their destination.

Mirror-Image Orientation
A migratory phenomenon in which individuals seem to reverse the east-west orientation of their migration route.

Mitochondrial DNA Study
A study of the origins and relationships among species and other taxa that examines the mitocondrial DNA of the organisms to establish genetic similarities and differences and in turn establish phylogenetic relationships based on genetic evidence.

Mobbing
A form of behavior in some birds in which a group of birds harrass a predator or other intruding animal in order to force that animal to leave the area.

Molt Migration
An annual migration pattern in birds in which individuals move from the breeding ground to a temporary location where thye molt and then migrate again to a wintering range. Occurs in ducks and some passerines.

Molt
To shed hair, feathers, shell, or skin such that it can then be renewed and replaced with a new coat, plumage, shell, or skin.

Monogamy
A pair relationship in which a single male and a single female establish an exclusive bond during a reproductive cycle.

Monomer
A small molecule that can be chemically bonded to other monomers (a chain of monomers is referred to as a polymer).

Morph
A distinct type or variant of an individual in which it differs in its physical attributes from other types or variants

Morphology
The physical attributes (form and structure) characteristic of an organism.

Mouthparts
Appendages located close to the mouth of some animals that function in the manipulating of food.

Muscle
A type of tissue in animals that can contract.

Muskeg
A habitat type common in the northern boreal forest that comprises poorly drained wetlands and scattered trees.

Mysticetes
A group of cetaceans that includes the filter-feeding whales such as Right whales, the gray whale and rorquals.