Glossary

Glossary: V

vascular

of or containing vessels that carry or circulate fluids, such as blood, lymph, or sap, in animals and plants.

vector

an animal which acts to cause the infection of humans with a disease organism. For example, mosquitoes act to inject the sporozoan parasite, Plasmodium, into the human blood stream.

velum

a membrane found on the subumbrella surface of jellyfishes of the Class Hydrozoa. Also a ciliated swimming organ of the veliger larvae.

venom

a poisonous secretion of an animal, such as a snake, spider, or scorpion, usually transmitted by a bite or sting.

venomous

an animal which has an organ capable of injecting a poisonous substance into a wound (for example, scorpions, jellyfish, and rattlesnakes).

ventral

On the lower or bottom side or surface.

vermiform

resembling or shaped like a worm.

See also: vermivore

vermivore

vermivorous

eats worms (including annelids, nematodes, and other worm-like animals)

See also: vermiform

vertebrate

An animal (including amphibians, birds, fish, mammals and reptiles) with a backbone.

vibrations

movements of a hard surface that are produced by animals as signals to others

visual

uses sight to communicate

viviparous

reproduction in which fertilization and development take place within the female body and the developing embryo derives nourishment from the female.