Zoo docent vocab Flashcards
Menagerie
the first recorded method of displaying common and exotic animals in captivity and was still mostly connected with an aristocratic or royal court and it was thus situated within a garden or park of a palace.
Works Progress Administration (WPA)
a former federal agency (1935–43) charged with instituting and administering public works in order to relieve national unemployment during the Great Depression.
AZA
Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredits zoos and aquariums that have met rigorous standards.
SSPs
Species Survival Plans - oversees the welfare of endangered species in captivity, to ensure the survival of selected species in zoos and aquariums which are endangered in the wild
Biomass
collective mass of the biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms in an ecosystem at any given time
Higher trophic levels, less biomass (only 10% of energy is transferred to the next level)
Browser
type of feeding where an animal eats the vegetation on bushes and trees (e.g. leaves, giraffes)
Carnivore
an animal that gets its energy from eating other animals.
Climate
the long term prevailing weather patterns of a region as temperature, humidity, wind, precipitation, air pressure in an area are averaged over a series of years. Climate is influenced by latitude, altitude, terrain, and nearby bodies of water.
Consumer
organisms of a food chain that receive energy by consuming other organisms (e.g. primary, secondary, tertiary)
Crepuscular
of or relating to activity occurring during the twilight hours, of dawn or dusk.
Decomposer
organisms that break down dead or decaying organisms back into nutrients
Diurnal
of or relating to activity occurring during the daylight hours.
Ecology
the study of the relationships between living organisms and their physical environment.
Ecosystem
a community of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things that work together, interacting organisms and their physical environment
Environment
an animal’s environment is everything in its surroundings abiotic and biotic.
Food chain
the linear sequence of who eats what in an ecosystem to obtain nutrition.
Food web
depicts feeding connections in an ecological community, multiple food chains
Frugivore
an animal that eats only fruit
Folivore
an animal that eats only leaves and stems
Grazer
type of feeding when an animal eats the grass on the ground.
Habitat
the specific environment in which any given organism or any given population lives. It is the “address” of the organism. A habitat contains everything that an animal needs to survive, including air, food, water, shelter, sun, space and other animals.
Herbivore
an animal that gets its energy from eating plants, and only plants.
Keystone species
a species whose impact on its community or ecosystem is disproportionately large relative to its abundance; many other species may depend upon its abundance as prey for their survival (e.g. wolves, sea otter, bees)
if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically
Niche
the specific role or function of an organism or species plays in an ecosystem
Nocturnal
of or relating to activity occurring during the night hours.
Omnivore
an animal that eats both plants and animals.
Photosynthesis
process used by plants and other organisms to convert CO2 light energy, normally from the sun, into Oxygen and chemical energy that can be later released to fuel the organisms’ activities
Producer
they are plants, organisms in an ecosystem that produce biomass from inorganic compounds (e.g. water, phosphate, nitrate)
Trophic Level
the position an organism occupies in a food chain.
Biodiversity
the variety of different types of life found on Earth. It is a measure of the variety of organisms present in different ecosystems
Biodiversity hotspot
a biogeographic region with significant levels of biodiversity that is under threat from humans.
Bushmeat
wild animals hunted for human consumption.
CITES
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora - an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
Climate change
a long-term change in the Earth’s climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature.
Critically endangered
taxa facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Ecosystem diversity
variety of ecosystems in a given place; the diversity of a place at the level of ecosystems. The term differs from biodiversity, which refers to variation in species rather than ecosystems.
Endangered
Taxa in danger of extinction and whose survival is unlikely if the causal factors continue operating.
Genetic diversity
the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species.
Indicator species
a species whose presence, absence, or relative well-being in a given environment is indicative of the health of its ecosystem as a whole (e.g. frogs)
IUCN
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources maintains the Red List of Threatened Species which is used for guiding conservation action and policy decisions.
Studbooks
a record of the lineage of a wild animal bred in captivity; it is an animal’s family tree.
TAGs
Taxon Advisory Groups examine the conservation needs of an entire taxa, and develop recommendations for population management and conservation based upon the needs of the species.
Threatened
when discussing IUCN categories, the term threatened is generally used to refer to three categories (Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered)
Vulnerable
taxa likely to become endangered unless the circumstances threatening its survival and reproduction improve.
Binomial nomenclature
a formal system of naming species by giving each a name composed of two parts; one indicating the Genus and one indicating the species. Each binomial name is unique to a specific species. (e.g. Homo sapiens)
Clade
a taxonomic group of organisms classified together on the basis of homologous features traced to a common ancestor. A clade is a grouping that includes a common ancestor and all the descendants (living and extinct) of that ancestor.
Phylogenetics
the study of evolutionary relationships among organisms
Phylogeny
the evolutionary history of a kind of organism
Species
a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.
Subspecies
a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics, but that can successfully interbreed.
Adaptive radiation
process in which organisms diversify rapidly into a multitude of new forms, particularly when a change in the environment makes new resources available, creates new challenges and opens environmental niches
Analogous structures
similar structures that evolved independently in two living organisms to serve the same purpose, but with different ancestors (e.g. sharks and dolphins, bats and birds) - through convergent evolution
Biological evolution
any genetic change in a population that is inherited over several generations. These changes may be small or large, noticeable or not so noticeable.
Coevolution
The process of reciprocal evolutionary change that occurs between pairs of species or among groups of species as they interact with one another; two (or more) species reciprocally affect each other’s evolution; the evolutionary change of one species triggered by interaction with another species.
Ex: giraffe and acacia, pollinators and plants
Convergent evolution
unrelated species can develop similar traits as the process of natural selection results in the same solution to a similar problem (analogous structures)
Genetic diversity
the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. It is distinguished from genetic variability, which describes the tendency of genetic characteristics to vary.
Genetic drift
a change in the number of times you might see a certain trait in a population due to chance or random events.
Homology
the existence of shared ancestry between a pair of structures, or genes, in different species.
Natural selection
Concept that individuals with mutations resulting in specific attributes may be better suited to conditions in a particular habitat. These better suited individuals survive and reproduce, passing along such favorable traits to their offspring. Such traits become more pronounced over time with succeeding generations, ultimately leading to new sub-species or entirely new species.
Speciation
the evolutionary process by which populations become distinct of species. Typically, but now always a result of geographic isolation over time.
Vestigial
a feature of a species that is greatly reduced from the original ancestral form and is no longer functional or is of reduced or altered function (e.g. penguin wings for swimming not flying, human appendix)
Ectothermic
any animal whose regulation of body temperature depends on external sources, such as sunlight or a heated rock surface.
Endothermic
any animal dependent on or capable of the internal generation of heat. The animal is able to maintain a relatively constant internal temperature, irrespective of the temperature of the surroundings.
Heterodonts
animals which have different kinds of teeth; for example, most mammal teeth are differentiated into incisors, canines and molars.
Invertebrate
any animal lacking a backbone, including all species not classified as vertebrates. Most animals (97%) are invertebrates; corals, insects, worms, jellyfish, starfish, and snails are invertebrates.
Tetrapod
a four-legged vertebrate; this group includes amphibians, reptiles and mammals.
Biogeography
the geographical distribution of plants and animals.
Continental Drift
The idea that continental plates are in constant motion and have changed their positions relative to the equator over time.
Endemic
a species native or restricted to a certain country or area.
Gondwanaland
Remainder of Pangea that formed all southern continents, Antarctica, South America, Africa, Australia, subcontinent India and part of southern Asia.
Laurasia
Land mass that broke away from Pangea and drifted north to form North America, Europe and Asia
Pangea
a supercontinent that included all current land masses, which broke up and drifted apart.
Plate Tectonics
the theory that Earth’s cooler outer skin is divided into several plates that glide over the hot molten mantle. Continents rest on tectonic plates.
Zoogeography
the geographical distribution of animals.
Arthropod
an invertebrate animal having an exoskeleton ( an external skeleton), a segmented body, and jointed appendages, bilateral symmetry
Arachnida, Crustacean, Chilopoda (Centipede), Diplopoda (Millipedes), Insecta
Bilateral symmetry
a property of an organism where the body plan can be divided into matching halves by drawing a line down the center; there is a right and left side that are mirror images of each other.
Chitin (pronounced kīt′n)
the tough substance that is the main component of the exoskeleton of arthropods and lobsters and in the internal structures of other invertebrates.
Detritivore
an animal that feeds on dead organic material, especially plant detritus (e.g. fungi, worms)
Ecdysis
the molting or shedding of an outer layer of skin, as by insects, crustaceans, and snakes.
Exoskeleton
is the external skeleton that supports and protects an animal’s body (made of chitin)
Metamorphosis
a major change in the form or structure of some animals or insects that happens as the animal or insect becomes an adult
transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages. Complete metamorphosis has four distinct life cycle stages
Amplexus
the mating embrace of a frog or toad during which eggs are shed into the water and there fertilized.
Arboreal
living in the trees.
Buccopharyngeal respiration
a type of breathing in amphibians; the throat pulsation of amphibians brings air over the respiratory surface on the lining of their mouth where gas exchange takes place readily.
Endoskeleton
an internal skeleton, such as the bony or cartilaginous skeleton of vertebrates.
Fossorial
an organism that is adapted to digging and life underground.
Insectivore
an animal that eats only or mainly insects. An insectivore is a carnivore.
Nictitating membrane
is a transparent or translucent third eyelid present in some animals that can be drawn across the eye for protection and to moisten it while maintaining visibility (eg. amphibians)
Pheromones
a chemical substance released by an animal that serves to influence the physiology or behavior of other members of the same species; pheromones might be used to attract a mate.
Vertebrate
an animal with an encased nervous system including a well-developed brain and a nerve chord that runs through the spinal column or backbone.
Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, Mammals
Amniotic egg
Shell which encases a developing embryo that can be deposited on land instead of water - tough outer shell, semi-permeable shell, and yolk
Anapsid
the skull does not have openings near the temples; no temporal fenestrae.
Carapace
the upper or dorsal shell of the turtle
Diapsid
having two openings in the skull behind each eye;
Fenestrae
a small opening in the bone
Molting
periodic shedding of one’s outer covering to make way for new growth.
Oviparity
external egg laying - method of reproduction in which eggs are laid and embryos develop outside the mother’s body
Ovovivipary
eggs are maintained internally and developed in the maternal body - the young hatch in the female and are then “born”
The embryo is not nourished by food from the mother.
Parietal eye
Lizards and snakes have a light sensitive organ called the “parietal eye” on top of the head which looks like a clear scale
The parietal eye detects changes in light, and allows the animal to properly thermoregulate, manage their heat.
It acts as a defensive measure, since an approaching predator will cause the light to change.
Parthenogenesis
form of asexual reproduction in which growth and development of embryos occur without fertilization (e.g. komodo dragon)
Poison
a substance that is CONSUMED or spread by TOUCH that is capable of causing the illness or death.
Plastron
the ventral or bottom shell of the turtle
Secondary palate
an anatomical structure that divides the nasal cavity from the oral cavity in many vertebrates
(hippos, alligators, can breathe while body is submerged in water)
Semipermeable
The ability of molecules to pass through a membrane.
Synapsid
having one opening in the skull behind each eye.
Temporal
of or relating to the temples; situated on the side of the skull and containing the organ of hearing
Thermoregulation
the ability for an organism to maintain its core internal temperature independent of the temperature of the environment.
Venom
a toxic substance secreted by animals such as snakes, spiders, and scorpions and typically INJECTED into prey or aggressors by biting or stinging.
Vivipary
development of the embryo inside the body of the mother, eventually leading to live birth, as opposed to laying eggs
Altricial
helpless at birth or hatching and requiring parental care for a period of time
e.g. cats, dogs, songbirds
Anisodactyl
having the hallux behind and the other three toes are in front as in a thrush.
Bipedal
a form of terrestrial locomotion where an organism moves by means of its two rear limbs or legs.
Countercurrent heat exchange
an arrangement of blood vessels that allows peripheral cooling particularly of appendages and at the same time maintains an adequate blood supply without excessive heat loss; enables arteries and veins flowing in opposite directions to exchange their heat content without mixing.
Nictitating membrane
is a transparent or translucent third eyelid present in some animals that can be drawn across the eye for protection and to moisten it while maintaining visibility.
Palmate
webbed; the front toes are united as in ducks and gulls.
Plumage
the entire feathery covering of a bird; plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, color, and arrangement of those feathers.
Precocial
refers to species in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching.
e.g. ducks, chickens, giraffes
Raptorial
the toes are deeply cleft, with large, strong, sharply curved nails (talons), as in hawks & owls.
Sexually dichromatic
the difference in coloring or marking patterns between male and female members of the same species.
Sexually dimorphic
the difference in morphology between male and female members of the same species.
Totipalmate
fully webbed; all four toes are united by ample webs, as in a pelican or cormorant.
Zygodactyl
having the toes of each foot arranged in pairs, with two toes in front and two behind as in a woodpecker.
Brumation
the hibernation-like state that cold-blooded animals utilize during very cold weather
(reptiles)
Canine
any of the pointed conical teeth located between the incisors and the first molars.
Countercurrent heat exchange
an arrangement of blood vessels that allows peripheral cooling particularly of appendages and at the same time maintains an adequate blood supply without excessive heat loss; enables arteries and veins flowing in opposite directions to exchange their heat content without mixing.
Flehmen response
is a behavior whereby an animal curls back its upper lips exposing its front teeth, inhales with the nostrils usually closed and then often holds this position for several seconds. The behavior facilitates the transfer of pheromones and other scents into the vomeronasal organ (VMO) or Jacobson’s organ located in the main nasal chamber causing a behavioral response in members of its own species.
This is seen in ungulates, cats
Hibernation
a a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in endotherms. Hibernation is characterized by low body temperature, slow breathing and heart rate, and low metabolic rate.
a period of dormancy and inactivity, varying in length depending on the organism and occurring in cold seasons
Incisor
any of the anterior teeth in each jaw, used for cutting and gnawing.
Molar
any one of the teeth back of the incisors and canines. Also known as cheek teeth.
Pheromone
a secreted or excreted chemical factor that triggers a social response in members of the same species.
Torpor
a temporary physiological state characterized by a controlled lowering of metabolic rate, body temperature, and physical activity below that considered normal
it is a “temporary hibernation” which is not as heavy as hibernation, triggered by food availability and their fat stores, not the weather
eg bears
Unguligrade
walk on the tips of their toes, usually hoofed, to sustain their whole body weight. Includes horses and cattle.
Embryonic diapause
a period of arrested development of an embryo at the stage of blastocyst (70- to 100-cell stage); found in some Kangaroos, wallaroos and wallabies; may result in having three young in different stages of development dependent on the mother at one time.
Joey
an infant marsupial
Marsupial
an Order of animals whose members are born incompletely developed and are typically carried and suckled in a pouch on the mother’s belly.
Monotreme
A term to describe a class of egg laying mammals with “one hole” used for reproduction and excretion.
Carnassials
modified fourth upper premolar and the first lower molar, found in the Order Carnivora, used for shearing flesh and bone in a scissor- or shear-like way.
Delayed implantation
delayed implantation the embryo does not immediately implant in the uterus, but it is maintained in a state or dormancy. Examples include rodents, bears, seals.
Digitigrade
walking or standing on its digits, or toes such as a walking bird, cats, or dogs. Digitigrades generally move more quickly and quietly than other animals.
Foregut fermentation
cellulose digestion seen in ruminants and rely on large complex stomach with rumen
Artiodactyla - even toed
Hindgut fermentation
digestive process that relies on enlarged cecum and large intestine
Perrisodactyla - odd toed
Induced ovulation
the act of breeding causes the female’s ovaries to release eggs
Obligate carnivore
an animal that by its genetic makeup must eat the tissue of other animals in order to thrive (eg big cats)
Plantigrade
walking with the entire sole of the foot on the ground, as humans, bears, raccoons, and rabbits
Precocial
refers to species in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching.
Rumination
the process of re-chewing the cud, which facilitates the proper breakdown of the cellulose rich plant matter.
Binocular vision
vision in which both eyes are used together; this gives a wider field of view.
Bipedal
having two feet
Brachiation
using the forelimbs to swing from branch to branch.
Depth perception
visual ability to perceive the world in three dimensions and the distance of an object.
Ischial callosities
a thickened piece of skin found on the buttocks of animals, especially the baboon; a ‘sitting pad’.
Knuckle-walk
a form of quadrupedal walking in which the forelimbs hold the fingers in a partially flexed posture that allows body weight to press down on the ground through the knuckles
Opposable thumb
the thumb can bring its tip into opposition with the tips of any of the other digits.
Prehensile
adapted for seizing or grasping, especially by wrapping around
Eg - giraffe tongues, monkey tails
Quadrupedal
having four feet.
Species diversity
the effective number of different species that are represented in a collection of individuals.
Anthropomorphism
attributing human qualities to non-humans.
Cathermal
irregular bursts of activity throughout a 24 hour period, possibly to avoid predators
(eg lemurs)
Domestication
the process of altering an animal’s natural behaviors to serve the purposes of man.
Dominance hierarchy
organization of individuals into social rankings that arises from aggressive competition for limited resources and mating opportunities.
Enrichment
a dynamic process for enhancing animal environments to encourage an animal’s natural behavior in the wild.
Estivation
to spend the hot or dry months in a sleep-like state with a reduction in body temperature, heart rate, and breathing.
Ethology
the study of animal behavior.
Harem
a group of females controlled by one male, usual of polygamous animals.
Matriarchy
an organized group in which females are dominant.
Migration
seasonal movement of animals from one region to another.
Monogamy
the habit of having only one mate at a time.
Polyandry
a female has multiple male partners
Polygamy
a male has multiple female partners
Vomeronasal organ (VMO) or Jacobson organ
an auxiliary olfactory sense organ that is found in many animals that functions to the interpretation and sensing of pheromones and estrous scents.
The Jacobson organ is located in the nasal cavity just above the roof of the mouth.
(amphibians, reptiles, and mammals - eg snakes, cats)
Angiosperm
a plant having its seeds enclosed in an ovary; a flowering plant.
Gymnosperm
a seed-producing plant that have unenclosed seeds; non-flowering seed plants.
Pollination
the process by which pollen is transferred from the anther (male part) to the stigma (female part) of the plant, thereby enabling fertilization and reproduction.
Auditory bulla
bony capsule, which encase parts of the inner ear.
Cellulose
an organic compound that forms the main component of the cell walls of plants; it gives wood its remarkable strength.
Diastema
a space or gap between two teeth
eg giraffes
Foramen magnum
opening in the bottom of the skull through which the spinal cord passes in order to connect to the brain
Homodont
animals whose teeth are all of the same type; for example, most vertebrates except mammals have a single tooth morphology.
Peripheral vision
side vision; what is seen on the side by the eye when looking straight ahead.
Sagittal crest
a ridge of bone running lengthwise along the midline of the top of the skull.
Sexual dimorphism
the differences in appearance between males and females of the same species, such as in color, shape, size, and structure.
Stereoscopic vision
The single perception of a slightly different image from each eye, resulting in depth perception.
Tapetum lucidum
a reflective layer of tissue in the eye that reflects light causing the eyes to glow when light strikes them at night.
It is chiefly a characteristic of nocturnal animals (i.e. cats)
Turbinate bone
delicate bones in the nasal cavity that direct the flow of air through the nasal passages and heighten the sense of smell. Turbinates are covered with mucous membranes, which warms and moistens the incoming air.
