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Glos.siiiy — Our Living Resources 



endemic. Indigenous to, and restricted to. a par- 

 ticular area; also, an endemic plant or animal. 



endomycorrhiza{e) or endotrophic mycor- 



rhizae. A symbiotic condition between a lungus 

 and the root of the plant in which the fungal 

 hyphae (root like structures) grow between and 

 within the cells of the plant roots, benefiting 

 both the fungi and the plants. Many orchids and 

 members of the heath family (Ericacea) cannot 

 survive without endotrophic mycorrhizae. 



eukaryotic. Describing eukaryotes. organisms 

 composed of one more cells containing visibly 

 evident nuclei and organelles.* 

 eutrophication. The process by which a body 

 of water acquires a high concentration of nutri- 

 ents, especially phosphates and nitrates, which 

 typically promote excessive growths of algae. 

 As the algae die and decompose, high levels of 

 organic matter and the decomposing organisms 

 deplete the water of available oxygen, causing 

 the death of other organisms, such as fish. 

 Eutrophication is a natural, slow-aging process 

 for a water body, but human activity greatly 

 speeds up the process. 



extinction. The dying out of a species, or the 

 condition of having no remaining living mem- 

 bers; also the process of bringing about such a 

 condition. 



extirpation. Eradication; the loss or removal of 

 a species from one or more specific areas, but 

 not from all areas. 



facultative. Capable of existing under different 

 conditions or using different modes for nutri- 

 tion. Facultative parasites are organisms that 

 can function either as parasites or as sapro- 

 phytes (decomposers). Facultative wetland 

 plants can occur in either wetlands or uplands, 

 although they are more abundant in the former. 



fauna. All the animals of a particular region or 



a particular era. For example, the fauna of New 



Zealand. 



flora monogram. A systematic treatise on or a 



list of the plants of an area, habitat, or period.* 



genetic drift. Random fluctuations in gene fre- 

 quency occurring in isolated populations from 

 generation to generation. Genetic drift is the 

 result of chance combinations of different char- 

 acteristics.* 



geomorphic. Of or relating to the form or sur- 

 face features of the earth or other celestial bod- 

 ies such as the moon.* 



heterotrophic. Describing consumers, organ- 

 isms that cannot synthesize food from inorgan- 

 ic materials and therefore must use the bodies of 

 other organisms as a source of energy and body- 

 building materials.* 



heterozygosity. A measure of genetic diversity 

 in a population, as measured by the number of 

 heterozygous loci across individuals.* 



heterozygous. The situation in which an indi- 

 vidual has two different alleles at a given gene 

 locus.* 



host. An organism that supports a parasite, 

 often to its own detriment. 



hydroperiod. The time during which a soil is 

 waterlogged.* 



hyperemia. Excess of blood in a body part.* 



inbreeding depression. A decline in desirable 

 characteristics such as fertility, general vigor, or 

 yield produced by repeatedly crossing related 

 organisms (inbreeding). Inbreeding depression 

 can be seen in some specimens of purebred 

 pets. 



invertebrates. Animals without backbones or 

 internal bony skeletons. All animals except for 

 the phylum Chordata (vertebrates) fall into this 

 category, including insects, crustaceans, worms, 

 corals, and mollusks. 



microbivore. An organism that feeds on 

 microorganisms. 



morphologic. Describing the form and struc- 

 ture of an organism or any of its parts.* 



mycorrhizae. The symbiotic relationship 

 between the mycelia of some species of fungi 

 and the roots or other structures of some flow- 

 ering plants. The fungal mycelia help the plant 

 absorb minerals and in return absorb energy 

 compounds produced by the plant. Many tree 

 species such as beech cannot grow without their 

 associated mycorrhizae. 



Neotropical. Adjective used to describe migrat- 

 ing birds that winter in the Neotropics.* 



obligate. Restricted to one particularly charac- 

 teristic mode of life or biologically essential for 

 survival. 



Oceania. The islands and archipelagos of the 

 central and south Pacific* 



outbreeding depression. Reduced fitness in 

 offspring resulting from breeding between indi- 

 viduals from genetically distinct populations.* 



pelagic. Living in or relating to the open sea, 

 especially surface waters to the middle depths. 

 Krill and the whales that feed upon them are 

 examples of pelagic animals. 



phenotypical. Describing phenotype, the phys- 

 ical expression (outward appearance) of a trait 

 of an organism, which may be due to genetics, 

 environment, or an interaction of the two.* 



phytogeny. The evolutionary history or devel- 

 opment of a species or higher grouping of 

 organisms. 



