Zoology glossary ~ E

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



Evolution - Definition of Evolution
The term evolution is defined as simply change over time. But when applied to lifeforms, the term evolution--or more precisely biological evolution--takes on an added dimension of meaning. Biological evolution is defined as descent with modification.

Echinodermata
The phylum of animals whose members are pentaradially (five-axis) symmetrical as adults, have a water-vascular system, and an endoskeleton. Members of this phylum include sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and sea lilies.

Ecocline
A gradient of vegetation structure that correlates to variation in one or more environmental characteristics in a geographical area.

Ecolocation
A method of sensing surrounding objects that employs pulses of high-frequency sound.

Ecological Efficiency
A measure of the amount of energy in the biomass that is produced by one trophic level and is incorporated into the biomass produced by the next (higher) trophic level.

Ecological Isolation
The isolation of competing species of organisms made possible by differences in each species food resources, habitat use, activity period, or geographical range.

Ecological Release
The expansion of habitat and resource usage by populations into areas of lower species diversity. Ecological release results from lower levels of interspecific competition.

Ecology
The study of the ecosystems, communities, habitats, and other elements of the natural environment that examines the relationships among organisms as well as relationships between organisms and their environment.

Ecomorphology
The study of the relationship between the ecological role of an individual and its morphological adaptations.

Ecosystem Approach
An approach to resource management that recognizes that all components of an ecosystem (function, structure, and species composition) are interrelated and must be considered when protecting and restoring natural balances.

Ecosystem
All the parts and interactions of the physical environment and the biological world.

Ecotone
A habitat created by the juxtaposition of distinctly different habitats; an edge habitat; a zone of transition between habitat types.

Ecotype
A genetically differentiated subpopulation that is restricted to a specific habitat.

Ectasian
Ectasian

Ectoparasite
A parasite, for example, a tick, that lives on, or attached to the host's surface.

Ectothermy
Capcity to maintain body temperature by gaining heat from the environment, either by conduction or by absorming radiation.

Ediacaran Period
Ediacaran Period

Effective Population Size
The average size of a population expressed in terms of individuals assumed to contribute genes equally to the next generation; generally smaller than the actual size of the population, depending on the variation in the reproductive success among individuals.

Egestion
Elimination of undigested food material.

Egg Dumping
"The practice of placing eggs in a nest built by another bird."

El Niño
A warm current from the tropics that intrudes each winter along the west coast of northern South America.

Elliptical
"Egg shape equally rounded at both ends and broadest in the middle."

Embryo
A plant or animl in an early stage of development; generally still contained within the seed, egg, or uterus.

Emigration
Movement of individuals out of a population.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)
Federal legislation that is intended to provide a means to conserve the ecosystems upon which endangered and threatened species depend and provide programs for the conservation of those species, thus preventing extinction of plants and animals.

Endangered Species
An animal or plant species in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Endemic
Confined to a certain region.

Endocrine
Pertaining to ductless glands that produce hormones.

Endoparasite
A parasite that lives within the tissues or bloodstream of its host.

Endothermic
Able to maintain a constant, warm body temperature, regardless of external conditions.

Endothermy
Capacity to maintain body temperature by the metobolic generation of heat.

Enhancement of Survival Permit
A type of permit issued by the US Fish and Wildlife Service under the authority of the Endangered Species Act.

ENSO
El Niño/Southern Oscillation; an occasional shift in winds and ocean currents, centered in the South Pacific region, with worldwide consequences for climate and biological systems.

Environment
Surroundings of an organism, including the plants, animals, and microbes with which it interacts.

Estivation
A temporary state of inactivity during a time that the animal is usually active (for example, snails go into estivation in summer months if it is too hot or too dry)

Eucaryotic Cell
A cell containing a distinct membrane-bounded nucleus, characteristic of all organisms except bacteria.

Eukaryote
Eukaryotes are organisms made up of cells that possess a membrane-bound nucleus (that holds genetic material) as well as membrane-bound organelles.

Eyeshine
The shine that is present in the eyes of various birds (goatsuckers, owls, kiwis, and other nightbirds). Caused by reflection off of the tapetum, the vascular membrane of the retina within the eye.

Zoology Glossary ~ D

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

Dabble
A behavior in birds that involves reaching the bill into shallow water to forage for food. This behavior does not involve diving or leaving the surface of the water.

Death Rate
The percentage of newborn dying during a specified interval.

Definitive Plumage
The mature plumage of a bird attained after the molting of all immature plumages. Definitive plumage does not change as the bird ages and is renewed after each molt with identically marked
plumage.

Delayed Plumage Maturation
The delayed development of a bird's definitive plumage such that the bird reaches sexual maturity before its replaces its immature plumage has been relaced. Occurs more frequently in the males of a species.

Delist
To remove an animal or plant species from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife and plants.

Delphinidae
A taxonomic group of marine mammals that includes dolphins and their relatives. The delphinidae, or Family Delphinidae, belong to the Order Cetacea and is the most diverse of all groups of cetaceans.

Deme
A breeding population or local population that occurs in nature and which consists of similar organisms that interbreed more or less at random.

Demographic
A characteristic used to describe some aspect of a population and that can be measured for that population, such as growth rate, age structure, birth rate, and gross reproduction rate.

Density Compensation
Increase in population size in response to reduction in the nubmer of competing populations; often observed on islands.

Density Dependent
Having influence on individuals in a population that varies with the degree of crowding within the population.

Density Independent
Having influence on individuals in a population that does not vary with the degree of crowding.

Density
Referring to a population, the number of individuals per unit area or volume; referring to a substance, the weight per unit volume.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
A nucleic acid found in most viruses, all bacteria, chloroplasts, mitochondria, and the nuclei of eucaryotic cells, characterized by the presence of a deoyribose sugar in each nucleotide; the genetic material of all organisms except the RNA viruses.

Destruction or Adverse Modification of Critical Habitat
A direct or indirect alteration that appreciably diminishes the value of critical habitat for both the survival and recovery of a listed species.

Deterministic
Referring to the outcome of a process that is not subject to stochastic (random) variation.

Detritivore
An organism that feeds on freshly dead or partially decomposed organic matter.

Detritus
Freshly dead or partially decomposed organic matter.

Developmental Response
Physiological and morphological characteristics an organism develops in response to prolonged exposure to environmental conditions.

Diapause
Temporary interruption in the development of insect eggs or larvae, usually associated iwth a dormant period.

Differentiation
The process of developmental change from an immature to a mature form, especially in a cell.

Diffuse Coevolution
The evolution of traits influencing species interactions, subject to selection from a wide variety of species interacting with different intensities.

Diffuse Competition
The sum of weak competitive interactions with species that are ecologically disstantly allied.

Diffusion
Movement of particles of gas or liquid from regions of high to low concentration by means of their own spontaneous motion.

Digestion
Hydrolysis of complex nutrient compounds into their building-block units.

Dimorphism
Occurrence of two forms of individuals within a population.

Dioecious
Possessing either male or female organs. Describes a group of organisms in which male and femal organs are in different individuals.

Diploblastic
Having body parts derived from two layers during embryologic development.

Distal
An anatomical directional term that means further from the mid-point of the body or further from the point where a limb attaches to the body.

Distinct Population Segment (DPS)
A subdivision of a vertebrate species that is treated as a species for purposes of listing under the Endangered Species Act.

Diving Reflex
A set of complex physiological adaptations some marine mammals have evolved that enables them to dive to great depths for extended periods of time.

Dominant
Occupying a high position in the social hierarchy.

Dormancy
The state of being inactive, quiescent. In plants, particularly seeds and buds, a period in which growth is arrested until environmental conditions become more favorable.

Dummy Nest
Pertaining to the back.

Drag
A force that works in opposition to the direction of movement.

Dummy Nest
A decoy nest that is built in order to attract females, reduce predation, or reduce nest parasitization. If eggs are disturbed in the primary nest, they can be moved to the alternate nest if needed.

Zoology Glossary ~ C

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



Carotenoids
Carotenoids are a class of organic pigments that absorb blue light and as a result are responsible for red, orange, and yellow hues.

Caching
The storage or hoarding of food for later eating during times of limited food availability. Caecilian
A group of amphibians that have long bodies (often with rings), no limbs, and virtually no tail.
Earthworm-like in appearance.

Caiman
A relative of the alligator that is found in Central and South America.

Calamus
The hollow, proximal portion of the feather shaft that attaches the feather to the skin.

Calcereous
Describes structures that contain calcium such as shells, exoskeletons, and bones and function to support or protect an animal.

Call Matching
A vocalization in birds characterized by the male and female of a pair duplicating the other's flight call. Call matching is often a behavior exhibited by members of the finch family.

Calymmian
Calymmian

Cambrian Explosion
Cambrian Explosion

Cambrian Period
Cambrian Period

Camouflage
Coloration or patterns that help an animal to appear to blend with its surroundings. Camouflage is common among invertebrates.

Candidate Species
A species of plant or animal for which FWS or NOAA Fisheries has sufficient information about its biological vulnerability and threats to warrent a proposal to list as endangered or threatened.

Canine Tooth
A sharp tooth positioned near the front of the jaws present in mammals (and most prominent in carnivores) that has a single point that is shaped for peircing and holding onto food.

Carapace
A hard shell or shield-like structure on the dorsal side of an animal's body. Also refers more specifically to the upper side of a turtle or tortoise shell.

Carnasial Tooth
A sharp, premolar tooth present in carnivores that is adapted for efficient tearning and slicing through the meat of their prey.

Carnivore
An animal that consumes primarily the flesh of other animals. More specifically used in reference to members of the Order Carnivora.

Carrying Capacity
The number of individuals in a population that can be supported on the resources of a habitat.

Caruncle
A bright-colored area of skin (featherless) on the face or neck of a bird (most prominent in turkeys and relatives).

Casque
A raised structure located on the head of a lizard (usually grows at the rear of the lizard's head).

Caste
A group of individuals that belong to the same social group that share some specialized form or behavior.

Central Nervous System
The part of an animal's nervous system that is made up of interneurons and exerts some control over the rest of the nervous system.

Centrifugal Tail Molt
The shedding and replacement of a bird's tail feathers that begins with the innermost pair of feathers being replaced first and then proceeding from the center outward.

Cephalization
The localization of neural control and sensory organs at the anterior end of an animal's body.

Cere
In birds (especially raptors), a raised and fleshy patch located at the base of the upper mandible (maxilla).

Cetaceans
The order of marine mammals that includes toothed whales and toothless, filter-feeding (baleen) whales.

Character Displacement
The divergence of adaptations or other characteristics in two similar species in locations where the animals share habitat.

Chitin
A polysaccharide polymer that is found in invertebrate exoskeletons, the shells of some mollusks, and the cell walls of fungi.

Cladistics
The area of study concerned with depicting phylogeny.

Clappering
In birds (especially storks), a non-vocal form of communication expressed by the slapping together of the upper and lower parts of the bill together.

Climax
The point at which an ecological community has completed a successional sequence, or sere and has reached a steady state within a particular set of environmental conditions.

Climograph
A graph that depicts the annual cycle of temperature and rainfall for a geographical locations.

Cloacal Spur
A spur or claw in boas and pythons that is a remnant of the pelvic girdle or hindlimb and is used by the male snake in courtship.

Clutch
A group of eggs (and the resulting group of young) produced by a female for a single breeding attempt.

Cnidaria
The taxonomic group (phylum) of animals whose members are characterized by radial or biradial symmetry, diploblastic organization, and possess a gastrovascular cavity and nematocysts.

Coelenterates
A group of primitive aquatic animals that includes jellyfish, corals, and sea anemones. Collar
A narrow band of pigment (in reptiles) that extends across the nape of the neck.

Colt
A male horse, up to four years old.

Coltan
Columbite-tantalite or 'coltan' is a metallic ore found in Australia, Canada, Brazil, and central Africa.

Competition
In ecology terms, competition arises when two or more individuals (or populations) rely on the same limited resource. In doing so, both parties are impacted negatively.

Conditioning
A type of learning in which associations are made. Learning can be acquired through stimulus-response or reward-punishment reinforcement.

Constriction
A method many non-venomous snakes used to kill prey that involves the snake coiling around its prey and tightening its grip to suffocate the prey.

Contour Feathers
The outer layer of feathers that cover a bird's body, wings, and tail and give the bird its characteristic appearance.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
A convention established in 1973 that regulates or prohibits the international trade of plant and animal species that are believed to be harmed by or that may be harmed by international trade.

Convergent Evolution
Evolutionary change in two or more unrelated organisms that results in the independent development of similar adaptations to similar environmental conditions.

Corallum
The skeleton of a colonial coral which, in turn, consists of individual corallites. Costal Grooves
A set of parallel, vertical grooves present on the sides of some salamanders, newts, and their larvae.

Countershading
A coloration pattern in the plumage of some birds in which the underparts of a bird are light in color while the upper parts of the bird are darker.

Creche
A group (flock) of unrelated young birds gathered together for protection.

Critical Habitat
Areas of habitat that are crucial to the survival of a species and essential for its conservation and that have been formally designated as such by rule published in the Federal Register.

Crocodile
A crocodilian that inhabits tropical regions. A crocodile differs from an alligator in that it has a narrower snout.

Crop
An expandable pouch in the esophagus of some birds (members of the Order Gruiformes do not have a crop).

Cryogenian Period
Cryogenian Period

Cryptic
Pertaining to characteristics that serve to conceal an animal.

Zoology Glossary ~ B

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



Balanced Polymorphisim
The maintenance of more than one allele in a population due to the superiority (in selection terms) of the heterozygote over both homozygotes.

Baleen
A fibrous structure in the mouths of some whales (baleen whales or Mysticetes) that enables the whale to filter food from the water for ingestion.

Banding
The practice of attaching metal or plastic bands around the legs of birds (or other animals) to mark individuals for identification on recapture.

Barbel
A long tubercle (projection) that serves as a sensory appendage and is attached to an animal's lips or mouthparts.

Barbicels
Small hook-like structures on barbules that link adjoining barbules to form the rigid, interlocked structure of the feather vane.

Barbs
The structures that branch from the main shaft of a feather and form the feather's vanes.

Barbules
Small structures that grow from the barbs of a bird's feather. Barbules overlap and interlock to give a feather rigidity.

Barren
Characterized by sparse vegetation due to limitations in the physical environment (such as a harsh climate or the chemical properties of the soil).

Basal
Relating to, located at, or forming the base.

Basic Plumage
If a bird species only molts once a year, their basic plummge is the set of feathers they have throughout the year. If a bird species experiences two molts per year, the basic plumage is (in most cases) the plumage grown after a complete molt and is present during the bird's nonbreeding season.

Batesian Mimicry
The resemblance between a mimic species (which is not harmful or unpaletable if ingested) and a model species (which is harmful or unpaletable if ingested).

Beak
Narrow, protruding jaws that usually do not contain teeth. Present in various groups of vertebrates including some cetaceans.

Benthic
Associated with the bottoms of rivers, lakes, and oceans. Bottom-dwelling.

Beta Diversity
A measure of the variety of organisms in a region. Beta diversity is influenced by the turnover of species among habitats.

Bilateral Symmetry
A type of symmetry in which an organism's body possesses two equal halves that are symmetrical when compared on either side of a midline. Most animals exhibit bilateral symmetry.

Bill
A bird's jaws which consist of bone and a hornlike outer layer of keratin.

Binocular Vision
A type of vision in which an animals two eyes face forward providing overlapping fields of view that enable the animal to judge depth.

Biodiversity
A measure of the variety of organisms in a habitat or ecosystem. Can be measured by the number of species or genetic variation in an area or ecosystem.

Biogeography
The study of the geographic distribution of organisms throughout the landscape. Examines the how geographical variation in the physical environment manifests variation in the biotic components that inhabit the area.

Biomass
The weight of living material (expressed as a dry weight) in some unit such as an organism, population, or community. Biomass is often cited as weight per unit area (biomass density).

Biome
A distinct group lifeforms and the environment in which they are found.

Biota
The living components (fauna and flora) of an ecosystem or habitat.

Birth Rate
The average number of offspring produced per individual per unit of time. Birth rate is often expressed as a function of age.

Blowhole
A hole on top of a cetacean's head through which air is inhaled and exhaled. The blowhole is found on top of the head so as to prevent water from flowing into the lungs.

Boreal
Referring to the coniferous forest regions that extend throughout areas of North America (Canada), Europe and Asia.

Boundary Layer
A layer of slow-moving water or air that lies just above the surface of an object.

Bow Riding
The behavior of cetaceans (commonly dolphins) in which they swim or 'ride' the crests of ocean waves.

Breeding System
The type of breeding behaviors characteristic of a population (polygyny, outcrossing, or selective mating) and the ways in which members of the population adapt to these breeding behaviors.

Brilles
Transparent layers that cover the eyes of all snakes and some lizards. Brilles cannot be moved (in contrast to lids).

Bristles
Long, stiff feathers that are often found near a bird's mouth or eyes. The function of bristles is not well-understood and it is thought they may serve to funnel food into a bird's mouth or provide protection to the bird's eyes.

Broken Stick Model
A model that describes the relative abundance of species by random segmentization of a line representing the resources of the environment.

Brood Parasite
A bird that lays its eggs in the nest of another bird (either another species or another individual of the same species) so that the young will be raised by the host parents.

Brood Parasitism
A method of reproduction seen in birds that involves the laying of eggs in the nests of other birds. The eggs are left under the parantal care of the host parents.

Brood Patch
An area that develops on the lower abdomen of birds in which the feathers drop off and the skin thickens and becomes densely populated with blood vessels. Used in incubation to keep eggs and young warm.

Brood Reduction
A reproductive strategy in which a female bird produces more eggs than she would normally be capable of raising.

Brooding
A behavior in birds in which the parents continue to warm nestlings or young that are unable to maintain their own body temperatures.

Zoology Glossary ~ A

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



Abdomen
The hind portion of an animal's body, located below the rib cage in mammals and below the thorax in arthropods. In mammals, the abdomen contains the viscera excluding the heart and lungs.

Abscission
The process by which a part of an organism is shed or separates from the rest of the organism. Usually used in reference to plants, for example when fruit drops from the plant or when leaves are shed from a tree.

ACAP (Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels)
The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) binds signing countries to putting forth immediate efforts to reduce albatross deaths due to fishing lines.

Accidental
Pertaining to species that do not occur in a region under normal circumstances.

Acclimation
Reversible physiological or morphological changes an organism experiences in response to changing environmental conditions; such physiological changes enable the organism to tolerate the new environmental conditions.

Active Transport
The movement of ions or other substances across a membrane such in the direction of increasing concentration (and thus requires an expenditure of energy).

Activity Space
The range or spectrum of environmental conditions and characteristics suitable for the normal activity of an organism.

Adaptation
A genetically controlled characteristic of an organism that enhances its fitness by helping the organism to survive and reproduce. Through adaptation, organisms may become better suited and more successful in their environments over time.

Adaptive Function
A mathematical expression that takes into account the fitnesses of a phenotype in each of several different environments to produce a measurement of the general fitness of the phenotype in a varied environment.

Adaptive Radiation
A type of evolutionary change in which a number of new forms develop from a single original form in response to the availability of new habitats.

Aerial Behavior
A type of behavior exhibited by dolphins and whales in which the animal comes out above the surface of the water (for example, leaps, jumps, or bow rides). Such actions are thought to be forms of communicative or playful behavior.

After-shaft
A double feather that grows from the shaft of a body feather. An after-shaft is important in maintaining warmth and is known to occur in grouse, quail, and relatives.

Age Class
The set of individuals in a population that are all of a particular age or fall within a specfied age group.

Aigrette
Breeding feathers characteristic of herons and egrets that are used in courtship displays. Aigrette feathers are long and loose.

Air Sac
A structure unique to the respiratory system of birds. Air sacs are thin-walled structures and through which air flows as the bird breathes.

Airfoil
A structure that creates lift as a result of the differential airflow over that occurs over its top and bottom surfaces. An example of an airfoil in the animal world is a bird's wing.

Allele
One of multiple alternate gene forms that are possible at a chromosomal location.

Alligator
A crocodilian that occurs in subtropical regions and can be distinguished from a crocodile in that it has a broader snout.

Allopatric
Pertaining to organisms that have different ranges due to geographical separation.

Alpha Diversity
A measurement of the variety of organisms that inhabit a defined region or habitat.

Altruism
A type of behavior in which an individual acts to further the welfare of other individuals.

Alula
A set of feathers on the leading edge of a bird's wing located close to the base of the primary feathers that, when raised and lowered, affect the airflow over the wing by increasing or decreasing lift during flight.

Alveolus
A term used to identify a small cavity, sac, or depression in the body. For example, the tiny cavities within the lungs or the depression in which a tooth sits.

Amnion
A delicate membrane that encloses an embryo of higher vertebrates (occurs in reptiles, birds, and mammals).

Amphibian
Amphibians are a class of animals that spend part of their life on land and part in water. Amphibians are vertebrates (they have a backbone) and are cold-blooded (derive their body heat from the surrounding environment).

Amphisbaenian
A wormlike (long and slender) reptile that has a short tail, and scales arranged in rings and is well-adapted to burrowing.

Amplexus
A mating position used by frogs and toads, in which the male holds the female with its front legs and fertilization usually takes place outside of the female's body and thus often requires a moist or aquatic environment.

Anastomosis
A branching and interconnecting network of tubes such as blood vessels, nerves, or leaf veins that branch and reconnect to form a plexus.

Animalia
The taxonomic group (kingdom) that includes organisms that are multicellular, eukaryotic, and heterotropic.

Annelida
The taxonomic group (phylum) of animals that includes segmented worms.

Antenna
A sensory aparatus (also referred to as a 'feeler') that is located on the head of an arthropod.

Antler
A bony structure that grows on the head of a deer. Contrasted with horns, antlers are often branched (whereas horns do not branch).

Apomorph
A new trait or structural feature that arises in an evolving lineage that is dissimilar from the ancestral line.

Aposematic
Characteristics (such bright coloration) that act as warnings to other animals (especially predators) and signal that an animal has defenses (for example, a poisonous frog that is brightly colored).

Arboreal
Pertaining to animals that are adapted to life in the tree tops, tree-dwelling.

Archean
The Archean Eon (3800 to 2500 MYA) was the time period in which the first lifeforms appeared on our planet. At that time, Earth was very different from what it is today. The atmosphere was composed of toxic gases such as methane and ammonia.

Arthropod
A taxonomic group of animals that includes spiders, crabs, insects, and centipedes and whose bodies posess pairs of jointed limbs and in most cases an exoskeleton or hard exterior covering.

Artificial Selection
A type of selection in which individuals are chosen (by a breeder) to mate and produce offspring with particular characteristics desired by the breeder.

Aspect Diversity
A measure of the variety of the physical appearances of species that live in the same habitat and are hunted by predators that use visual hunting skills to identify and capture prey.

Auriculars
A group of feathers that covers the side of a bird's head where the bird's ear openings are located.

Autonomic Nervous System
The part of the vertebrate nervous system that is made up of the motor neurons that innervate the animal's internal organs and that are in most cases not voluntarily controlled by the animal.

Autotroph
An organism that acquires energy from their environment (as opposed to acquiring energy via the ingestion of other organisms).

Aves
A taxonomic group (class) of vertebrates, also known commonly as 'birds', whose distinguishing characteristics include feathers, endothermy, and the production of amiotic eggs.

Systema Naturae - Overview

The book Systema naturae was one of the major works of the Swedish doctor of medicine Carolus Linnaeus. Its full title is Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis or translated: "System of nature through the three kingdoms of nature, according to classes, orders, genera and species, with [generic] characters, [specific] differences, synonyms, places").



Linnaeus published the Systema Naturae in the year 1735, during his stay in the Netherlands. As customary for the scientific literature of its day, the book was published in Latin. In it, he outlines his ideas for the hierarchical classification of the natural world, dividing it into the animal kingdom (Regnum animale), the plant kingdom (Regnum vegetabile) and the "mineral kingdom" (Regnum lappideum).

Zoology

Zoology, also spelled zoölogy, is the branch of biology that focuses on the structure, function, behavior, and evolution of animals.