Glossary

Glossary: E

Ethiopian

living in sub-Saharan Africa (south of 30 degrees north) and Madagascar.

echolocation

The process by which an animal locates itself with respect to other animals and objects by emitting sound waves and sensing the pattern of the reflected sound waves.

ecological extinction

The reduction of a species to such low abundance that, although it is still present in the community, it no longer interacts significantly with other species.

ecologist

A scientist who studies how living things (plants and animals) interact with each other and their physical environment.

ecology

The study of the interrelationships among plants, animals and other organisms and their interaction with all aspects of their natural environment.

ecosystem functioning

The sum total of processes operating at the ecosystem level, such as the cycling of matter, energy and nutrients, as well as those processes operating at lower ecological levels which impact on patterns or processes at the ecosystem level (e.g. interactions among species or the transfer of genetic material).

ecosystem roles and associations

the roles this species plays in its ecosystem. How does it affect other species? What other species does it have close interactions with?

ecotone

A transition between two or more different habitats; e.g. between forest and grassland.

ecotourism

humans benefit economically by promoting tourism that focuses on the appreciation of natural areas or animals.

ectoderm

the outermost of the three germ layers of an animal embryo. Ectoderm gives rise to the skin, nervous system, and the adrenal medulla.

ectoparasite

a parasite that lives on the outside of its host's body.

ectothermic

animals which must use heat acquired from the environment and behavioral adaptations to regulate body temperature

edaphic

Influenced by the soil rather than the climate.

edentate

A member of an order comprising living and extinct anteaters, armadillos, pangolins, and sloths.

electric

uses electric signals to communicate

endemic

in referring to a particular group (taxon), restricted to a specific location or region.

endoderm

the outermost of the three germ layers of an animal embryo. Endoderm gives rise to the alimentary canal and the digestive glands of the adult.

endothermic

endothermy::endotherm

animals that generate their own body heat through metabolic processes.

epidermis

the outermost cell layer of a multicellular organism, an example is the skin of vertebrates.

equids

members of the mammalian family Equidae, including horses, asses, and zebras.

escarpment

A long cliff separating two relatively level or gently sloping surfaces.

estuarine

an area where a freshwater river meets the ocean and the fresh and saltwater mixes

eusocial

the condition in which individuals in a group display each of the following three traits: cooperative care of young; some individuals in the group give up reproduction and specialize in care of young; overlap of at least two generations of life stages capable of contributing to colony labor

evisceration

to remove the viscera, or internal organs, of an animal.

excretory

describes the act of expelling waste matter from an animal.

exoskeleton

A hard supporting structure on the outside of the body, enclosing all living cells (external skeleton).

exotic species

Introduced, non-native species.

extirpate

the extermination of a population of a species from a given area.