| macro-climate |
the physical climatic conditions that affect a large area i.e. the macro-climate of the Lowveld |
|
| macro-elements |
elements that animals require in moderate quantity |
|
| maggot |
leg-less larva of a fly |
|
| magma |
Molten rock before it erupts on surface |
|
| magma chamber |
Large space below the Earth’s
surface occupied by molten rock |
|
| maize |
corn |
|
| malaria |
a disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Symptoms include a high fever, aching joints, headache, nausea and shivering. Three million people die from this disease annually in Africa |
|
| mammal |
an animal that gives birth to live young, and suckles its young |
|
| mammal-like reptile |
Common name used for the
group of primitive synapsid tetrapods that are
the distant ancestors of mammals; comprises
two groups, pelycosaurs and their descendants
the therapsids |
|
| management (habitat) |
the efforts of humans to oversee nature wisely so as to conserve it |
|
| mandibles |
set of biting mouth parts of insects |
|
| mangrove swamps |
A Mangrove swamp is a coastal marine swamp of tropical or subtropical regions that is dominated by mangrove trees |
|
| mantle |
Region of the Earth’s interior between the
base of the crust and the core |
|
| mantle plume |
Hot, buoyant mass of material that
rises from deep within the Earth to the base of
the lithosphere |
|
| marsupial |
a pouched mammal endemic to Australia |
|
| matriarch |
a female that is the leader of her herd, pride, flock |
|
| matrix |
Relatively finer-grained material occupying
the spaces between larger particles in a rock |
|
| mealie |
maize (corn) |
|
| meandering river |
River channel pattern characterised by broad loops
Relatively small (30-cm-long) anapsid marine
reptile that lived during the Early Permian
Period; its remains are known only from Brazil,
Namibia and South Africa |
|
| melanism |
a state in which too much melanin pigment is formed, resulting in a black coloured population of animals e.g. Gabar goshawk |
|
| mesophyte |
a plant suited to temperate living conditions which are neither too wet or too dry |
|
| mesosphere |
Zone of the Earth’s mantle below the
asthenosphere |
|
| metabolisable energy |
energy available to the animal after the energy lost in the urine and gas products is subtracted. |
|
| metabolism |
chemical reactions that take place inside living organisms |
|
| metabolites |
chemicals |
|
| metamorphic belt |
Linear zone on the Earth’s crust
underlain by metamorphic rocks |
|
| metamorphic rock |
Rock formed from pre-existing rocks that have been subjected to
elevated temperature and pressure (and usually
involving hot fluids), such that their mineral
composition has undergone change |
|
| metamorphism |
Alteration of mineral composition
of rock caused by exposure to elevated temperature and pressure (and possibly hot fluids) |
|
| metamorphosis |
a series of morphological changes that insects undergo that gradually changes them from a juvenile to adult form and allows them to become reproductively active |
|
| metazoa |
Sub-kingdom of animals whose bodies
are made up of many specialised cells grouped
together into tissues, and that have a centralised, co-ordinating nervous system |
|
| meteorite |
Particle of natural material that has
fallen to Earth from Space |
|
| micro elements |
elements that animals require, but in minute quantities only |
|
| micro-climate |
the physical environmental condition confined to a very small area or location i.e. the micro-climate of a woodland dormouse hole, wild dog den or termite mound |
|
| micro-flora |
microorganisms living in the digestive tract |
|
| micro-habitat |
A smaller portion of a habitat. eg. a tree is a microhabitat for smaller animals |
|
| micro-organisms |
any organism of microscopic size |
|
| microbes |
micro-scopic organisms |
|
| microbiota |
Microbiota is a monotypic genus of evergreen coniferous shrub in the cypress family Cupressaceae, containing only one species, Microbiota decussata (Siberian carpet cypress, Russian arbor-vitae). The plant is native and endemic to a limited area of the Sikhote-Alin mountains in Primorsky Krai in eastern Siberia (Russian Manchuria). |
|
| microclimate |
A microclimate is a local atmospheric zone where the climate differs from the surrounding area. |
|
| microfossil |
Microfossil Remains of tiny plants or animals that
require the use of a microscope to be studied;
includes fossil bacteria, algae, pollens, spores,
protozoans, microscopic crustaceans, etc. |
|
| microhabitat |
A smaller portion of a habitat. eg. a tree is a microhabitat for smaller animals |
|
| mid-ocean ridge |
Mountain range on the sea floor
where tectonic plates separate |
|
| midden |
a regularly used site for depositing of dung |
|
| migmatite |
Rock consisting of an intimate
mixture of metamorphic and igneous rocks
(usually granite) |
|
| migration |
the movement of animals over long distances, associated with birds and certain ungulates |
|
| mimicry |
The resemblance of one organism to another. Taking on another organism's colour, vocalisation, action or attribute. |
|
| mineral |
Naturally occurring chemical compound |
|
| mineral lick |
an artificially produced nutritional material used to supplement natural grazing of wildlife. Licks may be nutritive, salt or medicinal |
|
| mites |
tiny ecto- or endo-parasites which may be herbivorous |
|
| mitre drain |
A cutting across sand roads to facilitate the drainage of excess rain water. A tractor scrapes the mitre towards the road from in the bush. The accumulated material can be used to build bolsters. |
|
| mixed feeder |
animals that both browse (leaves) and graze (grass) |
|
| mixed veld |
a transitional zone between sweet and sour veld, suitable for grazing 6 - 10 months of the year depending on location |
|
| mobbing response |
Cooperative attack by members of a group, triggered by behaviour of the attacked animal or by a signal from a group member (e.g. a distress cry). |
|
| mobile belt |
Term often used synonymously with
Metamorphic belt |
|
| moho |
See Mohorovi¡ci´c discontinuity |
|
| mohorovi¡ci´c discontinuity |
Shallowest major seismic discontinuity below the Earth’s surface,
which marks the base of the Earth’s crust; it
arises from the difference in chemical com-
position between the crust and the mantle |
|
| mollusc |
bilaterally symmetrical unsegmented invertebrates consisting of a head, muscular foot and visceral hump e.g. snails |
|
| monoculture farming |
Monoculture is the agricultural practice of producing or growing a single crop or plant species over a wide area and for a large number of consecutive years. It is widely used in modern industrial agriculture and its implementation has allowed for large harvests from minimal labour. |
|
| monoecious |
a plant possessing both male and female organs in the same flower |
|
| monogamy |
mating of an animal with only one member of the opposite sex at a time |
|
| monotreme |
an egg-laying mammal. Only two species exist, both endemic to Australia, the echidna and duck-billed platypus |
|
| montane |
Referring to African mountain habitats, including forest, grassland, bamboo zone, moorland, etc. |
|
| mopane |
Tree of variable growth forms, Colospermum mopane, which often forms pure stands in parts of the Southern Savanna and South West Arid Zone. |
|
| morbidity rate |
refers to the percentage of animals infected by a disease but not dying from the disease |
|
| moribund |
A reference to grass that has not been utilised by either fire or grazing. It is nutrient poor. |
|
| morphology |
the physical external features of an organism |
|
| mortality rate |
the percentage of animals which die as a result of a disease or particular activity |
|
| moult |
the shedding of skin, hair or feathers |
|
| mountain belt |
Long mountain chain (e.g. Andes) |
|
| muscular dystrophy |
a muscular disease causing the animal incoordination, restricted movement, leading to muscle damage |
|
| musth |
The period when male elephants are seeking mates. During this time they are often aggressive. For a fuller description, please do the WildlifeCampus Free Lesson on elepahnts |
|
| mutualism |
a non-obligatory relationship in which both organisms benefit |
|
| myiasis |
the presence of fly maggots on a body or carcass |
|
| myocardial |
The muscular tissue of the heart or relating to the myocardium (heart muscle tissue) |
|
| myremecophagic |
subsists on a diet of ants (Hymenoptera) or termites (Isoptera) |
|
| myriapoda |
a defunct zoological term that unites all Arthropoda that have elongated bodies, multiple legs and a distinct head e.g. millipedes and centipedes |
|
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