Glossary

Glossary: T

tactile

uses touch to communicate

taiga

this biome is characterized by large expanses of coniferous forest, there is an extended cold season and heavy snowfall.

taxon

A particular group of organisms of any taxonomic rank. For example, a phylum, a genus, or a species. Plural is taxa.

See also: synonym

taxonomy

Referring to the science of hierarchically classifying animals by groups (e.g. genus and species) which share common features and are thought to have a common descent.

See also: phylogenetic; systematics; synonym

temperate

that region of the Earth between 23.5 degrees North and 60 degrees North (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle) and between 23.5 degrees South and 60 degrees South (between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle).

terrestrial

Living on the ground.

terricolous

terricole, terricoline

living on or in the soil; used of an organism that spends most of its active life on the ground.

territorial

territoriality, territory

defends an area within the home range, occupied by a single animals or group of animals of the same species and held through overt defense, display, or advertisement

test

a shell or hardened outer covering. The hardened skeleton of echinoderms (Phylum Echinodermata, sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers) is called a test.

thorax

The portion of the body between the head and abdomen of certain species that bears whatever legs and wings are present.

threatened

describes species which may become endangered. See glossary entries for IUCN categories and Endangered Species Act.

torpor

a dormant, inactive state.

toxin

a poisonous substance, usually a protein, that is produced by living cells or organisms and causes harm or disease when introduced into the body tissues of other organisms.

trochophore larva

trochophore larvae

a free-swimming oval-shaped marine larva characteristic of most molluscs, certain ectoprocts, brachiopods, and marine worms. It moves using one or more rings of cilia.

tropical

the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south.

tundra

A terrestrial biome found in very cold places -- either close to polar regions or high on mountains. Part of the soil stays frozen all year. Few kinds of plants grow here, and these are low mats or shrubs not trees. The growing season is short.