Leatherback turtle in Atlantic Canada (Dermochelys coriacea) recovery strategy: chapter 13


Appendix A - Glossary

Amphipod:
A small flat-bodied crustacean of the order Amphipoda.

Bioaccumulation:
The accumulation of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in the tissues of a living organism.

Biomagnification:
The increasing concentration of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, found in the tissues of a living organism as you move up the food web. Simple organisms such as algae can absorb and bioaccumulate minute quantities of a substance which are transferred through the food chain to higher living species such as fish, bird, etc. Biomagnification along a food chain will result in the highest concentrations of a substance being found at the top of the food chain.

Bycatch:
The harvest of fish or shellfish other than the species for which the fishing gear was set.

Carapace:
A bony or chitinous case or shell covering the back or part of the back of an animal.

Commensal:
Having benefit for one member of a two-species association but neither positive nor negative effect on the other.

Critical Habitat:
the habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed wildlife species and that is identified as the species' critical habitat in the recovery strategy or in an action plan for the species.

Delisting:
The removal of a species from the list of species at risk following its recovery.

Endangered Species:
a wildlife species that is facing imminent extirpation or extinction.

Food Chain:
a community of organisms where each member is eaten in turn by another member.

Forage:
the act of searching for food and provisions.

Gene flow:
Transfer of genes from one population to another of the same species.

Gangion:
A short line attached to a trawl.

Groin:
a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away.

Gyre:
a great, circular motion of water in each of the major ocean basins centered on subtropical high-pressure region, with circulation clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere.

Hatchling:
Newly hatched fish or reptile.

Mandible:
The lower jaw of vertebrates.

Medusae:
The tentacled, bell-shaped, and sexually mature stage in the life cycle of a jellyfish and other members of the Coelentera.

Mortality:
Death rate.

Necrosis:
Localized death of cells or tissues through injury or disease.

Pelagic:
Pertaining to animals that live at the surface of the ocean, away from the coast.

PIT tag:
Passive Integrated Transponder tags are microchips that are injected into an animal's muscle tissues using a hand-held applicator gun.

Plastron:
The front, or ventral part, of the shell of a turtle.

Rookery:
A breeding colony of birds or animals.

Revetment:
A sloping surface of stone, concrete or other material used to protect an embankment, natural coast or shoreline against erosion.

Riprap:
A rubble sustaining wall, often used along shorelines to prevent erosion.

Seawalls:
A wall of stone, concrete, or other sturdy material, built along the shoreline to prevent erosion even by the strongest and highest of waves.

Seismic Exploration:
The use of seismic energy to probe beneath the surface of the earth.

Stewardship:
The wide range of voluntary actions that people are taking to care for the environment.

Telemetry:
The automatic measurement and transmission of data from remote sources, by radio or other means, for recording and analysis.

Upwelling:
A process through which cold and usually nutrient-rich waters rise from the bottom of the ocean to its surface.

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