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Mangrove

variety of salt tolerant trees and shrubs that inhabit the intertidal zone of tropical and semi-tropical regions

Mantle

portion of the body wall in mollusks that lines and secretes the shell or forms the body wall

Marine

pertaining to or inhabiting the sea, ocean, or other salt water

Marsh

area of wetland periodically flooded by water and colonized by marsh grasses and other marsh plants

Marsh plain

coastal area that is raised above the highest tide level and has become dry

Marsupial

mammal in which the embryonic young are born, travel to a pouch on the mother's abdomen, and attach to a nipple to complete development

Mean sea level

average level of all the tides

Medusa

adult bell or umbrella shaped form of cnidarians; includes fresh and salt jellies; the sexual free-swimming form; Spanish word for jelly is medusa

Melanistic

color phase in which the skin, plumage, or pelage is black or near black due to the presence of the pigment melanin

Melon

fatty cushion structure in the forehead region of toothed whales and dolphins that is used during echolocation

Mermaid’s purse

leathery egg case laid by some cartilaginous fishes; largely composed of keratin

Mesoglea

middle jelly, the substance between the inner and outer dermal layers of a jelly's bell; consistency is species dependent; gives jelly its common name

Metabolism

physical and chemical changes within a living organism involved in the maintenance of life

Microorganism

any microscopic organism

Midden

refuse heap; commonly used to describe the garbage heaps of ancient Native American villages

Migration

periodic and often habitual movement of animals from one area to another for purposes of breeding and eating

Milt

secretions from male reproduction organs of fishes

Mimicry

superficial resemblance of one organism to another or to objects in its environment for concealment or protection

Mollusk

any member of the Phylum Mollusca; invertebrates with a soft unsegmented body, often somewhat enclosed by a shell; e.g., abalone, snails, clams, slugs, and cephalopods

Molt

periodic shedding of exoskeleton, hair, feathers, and/or skin that allow new growth to take place underne

Monoecious

male and female parts on the same plant

Monogamy

mating with only one partner

Morphology

body structure and form of an organism

Mudflat

expanses of mud that are periodically exposed to low tide and are usually adjacent to salt marshes

Mustelid

any member of the family Mustelidae; carnivorous mammals that secrete a musky odor and often show delayed inmplantation

Mutualism

symbiotic close association between two organisms in which each derives some benefit

Myoglobin

red iron containing and oxygen carrying protein pigment found in the muscles of vertebrates

Natal stream

stream of origin, where organism was born

Nauplii

first free-swimming larval stage of many crustaceans including copepods, ostrapods and decapods

Nauplius

first free-swimming larval stage of many crustaceans including copepods, ostrapods and decapods

Nekton

pelagic (open ocean) animals that are able to swim against ocean currents

Nematocyst

specialized stinging cells; also called cnidae, in jellies, spirocysts, and plychocysts in anthrozoans (sea anemones, corals, sea pansies, sea pens). Used for capturing prey and/or defense from predators.

Neritic zone

nearshore area. The area of the ocean that lies along the coasts of continents and islands, less than 300 meters below the surface.

Neuromasts

groups of sensory cells in the lateral line of fishes

Neuromuscular

pertaining to both nerves and muscles

Neurotoxin

toxin that acts specifically on nerve cells, commonly causing paralysis that acts specifically

Neutral buoyancy

weightless in water, neither rising or sinking

Niche

ecological role of an organism and its position in the environment

Nocturnal

active at night

Noxious

harmful to living things

Nudibranch

sea slug; a marine gastropod without an external shell and mantle

Nutrient

any of a number of inorganic or organic compounds or ions that promotes growth or provides energy

Oblique

having a slanting or sloping direction or position

Oceanography

study of the science of the world's ocean

Ocelli

non-imaging producing, small cup shaped structures at tentacle bases of jellies that function as light sensing organs

Olfactory

pertaining to the sense of smell

Omnivore

animal that feeds on both animal and plant matter

Operculum

hard flap serving as a cover for the the gill slits in fishes or the opening of the shell in some gastropods when the body is retracted into the shell

Opportunistic feeder

animal that feeds on whatever is available

Oral

of or pertaining to the mouth