Glossary

49 terms beginning with V · showing 1–40

1. valence

   Combining capacity of an atom or ion determined by the number of electrons that it will lose, add, or share when it reacts with other atoms; the bond-forming capacity of a given atom or radical; a numeric value designated to represent this capacity.

2. valid name

   The correct, currently-accepted scientific name for a taxon.

   Used in 4 profiles

3. variant

   A form or version that differs in some respect from other forms of the same thing or deviates from a standard.

   Used in 77 profiles

4. variegated

   Exhibiting differently coloured markings; diversified.

   Used in 10 profiles

5. várzea

   Type of seasonally-inundated floodplain forest in the Amazon region. The term is normally used for those forests flooded by whitewater rivers but is sometimes used to refer to blackwater environments for which the more traditional term is igapó.

   Used in 9 profiles

6. vascularised

   Containing vessels that carry or circulate fluids, especially blood.

   Used in 198 profiles

7. vegetative

   Of, relating to, or capable of growth, or functioning in processes such as growth or nutrition rather than sexual reproduction.

   Used in 28 profiles

8. Velvet

   See 'Oodinium'.

9. venom

   Poisonous fluid secreted by various animals, including some fishes.

   Used in 26 profiles

10. venomous

    Secreting venom; able to inflict a poisonous bite, sting or wound.

    Used in 79 profiles

11. vent

    Excretory opening of the digestive tract in fishes.

    Used in 28 profiles

12. ventral

    Of, on, or relating to the underside of an animal or plant; abdominal.

    Used in 233 profiles

13. ventral disc

    A sucking disc formed by the pelvic fins in certain fishes.

14. ventral keel

    Fleshy, longitudinal ridge running along the abdomen and caudal peduncle in some fishes.

    Used in 13 profiles

15. ventral margin

    Lower edge or margin.

    Used in 10 profiles

16. ventral-fin

    Either of the pair of fins, also known as pelvic fins, attached to the pelvic girdle in fishes that help control the direction of movement. Correspond to the hind legs in higher vertebrates and vary in position depending on taxon. Sometimes absent entirely.

    Used in 74 profiles

17. ventral-fin basket

    Vernacular nerm used to describe the post-spawning behaviour of cupping or clamping of the ventral fins in order to transport fertilised eggs. Exhibited by females of some Corydoras species, for example.

18. ventrolateral

    Positioned or orientated between the ventral and lateral surfaces.

    Used in 4 profiles

19. ventrum

    Relating to or situated on or close to the abdomen or lower surface of an animal's body; abdominal

20. vermiculate

    Having a pattern consisting of irregular, worm-like lines.

    Used in 2 profiles

21. vermiculated

    See vermiculate.

22. vermiform

    Resembling a worm.

    Used in 10 profiles

23. vernacular name

    Local; common; colloquial name of an animal or plant taxon. The name of a taxon in any language other than that of zoological nomenclature.

    Used in 146 profiles

24. verrucose

    Being covered with small, dermal, wart-like projections.

    Used in 1 profile

25. vertebra

    Any of the bony or cartilaginous segments comprising the spinal column.

    Used in 33 profiles

26. vertebrae

    Plural of vertebra.

    Used in 174 profiles

27. vertebral column

    The backbone; the spine; in fishes, the vertebrae running from skull to caudal fin which protect the spinal cord and haemal artery as well as providing attachment for certain muscles used for swimming.

28. vertebrate

    An organism possessing a backbone or spinal column.

    Used in 48 profiles

29. vertical fin

    Unpaired, median fin, i.e., dorsal, caudal, adipose and anal fins.

    Used in 1 profile

30. vertical migration

    Movement within the vertical plane of a water column.

31. vestigial

    Character or morphological feature having attained a simplified structure and reduced size, function and importance during the evolution of a taxon.

    Used in 4 profiles

32. viable population

    A population of fish in a state that maintains its potential for survivial and evolutionary change.

    Used in 2 profiles

33. vicariance

    Separation or division of a population by a geographic barrier, such as a mountain or body of water, resulting in evolution into new varieties or species.

34. vicariant

    Used in reference to any of several closely related species, variants, etc., each of which exists in a distinct geographical area but are assumed to have originated from a single population that became dispersed by geological events; of or relating to such an event.

35. villi

    Plural of villus.

    Used in 12 profiles

36. villiform

    Having the appearance or form of a villus or series of villi.

    Used in 1 profile

37. villiform teeth

    Slender, abundant, crowded teeth resembling villi or the bristles of a brush present in some fishes.

    Used in 4 profiles

38. villus

    In biology, a minute, hairlike process present on certain membranes, such as the mucous membrane in the small intestine of many vertebrates. Typically has a sensory or absorptive function.

39. viscera

    The soft internal organs of the body.

40. visceral

    Of or relating to the viscera.