Science / Marine Biology Glossary

Microfauna: Animals whose shortest dimension is less than 0.1 mm

Mixing Depth: The water depth to which wind energy evenly mixes the water column

Mixoplankton: Planktonic organisms that can be classified at several trophic levels. For example, some ciliates can be photosynthetic but also can ingest other plankton and are heterotrophic.

Moderately Stratified Estuary: An estuary in which seaward flow of surface low-salinity water and moderate vertical mixing result in a modest vertical salinity gradient

Monophyletic: Refers to a group of species that all have a single common ancestral species

Morphology: The form and structure of an organism, in particular its outside features.

Mucous-Bag Suspension Feeder: Suspension feeder employing a sheet or bag of mucus to trap particles nonselectively

Mutualism: An interaction between two species in which both derive some benefit

Mutualistic: Conferring reciprocal benefit to individuals of two different associated species

Nanoplankton: Planktonic organisms that are 2-20 micometers in size.

Native Species: A species that occurs naturally in an area (i.e. Is not introduced). Compare introduced species, invasive species.

Natural Selection: The main mechanism of evolutionary change. In a given population of organisms, there are heritable traits that enable some members to contribute a larger number of offspring than others. If . . . View Full Definition

Neap Tides: Tides occurring when the vertical range is minimal

Nekton: Organisms with swimming abilities that permit them to move actively through the water column and to move against currents

Neritic: Seawater environments landward of the shelf-slope break

Net Primary Productivity: Total primary production, minus the amount consumed in respiration

Neuston: Planktonic organisms associated with the air-water interface.

Niche: A general term referring to the range of environmental space occupied by a species

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