GLOSSARY OF BIOLOGICAL TERMS 



ANAEROBIC DECOMPOSITION - Substances are reduced, not oxidized, because of lack 

 of oxygen. 



ANOXIA - The failure of oxygen to gain access to, or to be utilized by, the 

 body tissue. 



BENTHIC ORGANISMS - Bottom organisms attached or resting on or in the bottom 

 sediments. 



CARRION - Dead and putrefying flesh. 



ClIEMOAUTOTROPHIC - A process by which organisms manufacture their food by using 

 the energy derived by oxidizing inorganic matter. 



DEMERSAL - Organisms (usually fish) that live on or slightly above the bottom. 



DIATOM - Organisms closely associated with algae, characterized by the presence 

 of silica in the cell walls. 



ECOLOGICAL PERTURBANCE - Disturbance of natural habitat of animals and plants 

 due to natural or artificial means. 



EDAPHIC - A term referring to the soil conditions or types as ecological 

 factors . 



ENDOFAUNA - Animals whose biological activities are restricted within the 

 sediment . 



EPIFAUNA - Animals that live on or above the sand surface. 



FALSE CRAWL - When a turtle crawls onto a beach and does not attempt to nest 

 or fails to excavate a nesting chamber and deposit its eggs. 



FAUNA - The entire animal life of a region. 



HARD CORAL - Nonflexible corals. 



INTERSTITIAL - A term referring to the space between particles. 



LUCUNA - Small space or environment. 



MACROFAUNA - Those animals 0.5 millimeter or larger in size. 



MEIOFAUNA - Those animals smaller than 0.5 millimeter and equal to or larger 

 than 0.062 millimeter. 



MESOFAUNA - Animals that live between the interstices of sediment particles. 



NEKTON - Free-swimming organism. 



OPPORTUNISTIC SPECIES - Short-lived species that invade an area but are 

 generally out competed by resident species. 



