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AbsentSpecies that were reported at some time to be present but were not recorded subsequently are reported to be ‘Absent’.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Absent
AbundanceAbundance and population trends of species populations have been recorded where this information was available.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Abundance
AbundanceAndDistributionOfMarineMammalsCommon in OSPAR Regions II, III, IVhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AbundanceAndDistributionOfMarineMammals
AbyssobenthicOccupying the ocean floor from ca 4000 - 6000 m depth. Usually a more or less flat plain (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Abyssobenthic
AbyssopelagicOverlays the plains of the major ocean basins with a lower boundary of ca 6000 m.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Abyssopelagic
AccessoryFeedingStructuresOther structures such as palps, tentacles or a radiolar crown ("grooved palps"). There are forms of single pair of grooved palps nearly always attached dorsally or near the junction of the prostomium and peristomium, or multiple grooved palps sometimes forming a crown. Dorso lateral ciliated folds in the roof of the buccal cavity may be present in some polychaetes.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AccessoryFeedingStructures
AccretionAn organism that constructs reefs or raised beds of accreted materials, e.g. bound sand in Sabellaria spp.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Accretion
ActinulaCrawling larval stage of some hydoids (amend)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Actinula
AdultThe reproductively capable (mature), fully formed, usually longest lived, stage of an animals life cycle.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Adult
AdultBodyAttached or stuck to adult but not held in specialised appendage / receptaclehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AdultBody
AdultBurrowEggs are placed or retained within the parents burrowhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AdultBurrow
AdultDiapausehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AdultDiapause
Adverse habitat modificationWhere the species physically alters the nature of the strata/habitat.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Adverse habitat modification
AerialDippinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AerialDipping
AerialHawkinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AerialHawking
AgeAtMaturityAge recorded in days, months, years.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AgeAtMaturity
AggregationsAn organism that constructs reefs and raised beds due to aggregation of large numbers of individuals via permanent or semi-permanent attachment e.g. mussels, oysters and Crepidula beds.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Aggregations
AlgalGravelConstructs deep beds of calcareous algal nodules, e.g. maerl bedshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AlgalGravel
AlienSpecies introduced by man into places out of their natural range of distribution.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Alien
AlphaHaline36-40 psuhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AlphaHaline
AlphaMesohaline10-<18 psuhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AlphaMesohaline
AlphaOligohaline3-<5 psuhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AlphaOligohaline
AlphaPolyhaline25-<30 psuhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AlphaPolyhaline
AlternationOfGenerationsThe alternation of generations, in the life cycle of an organism, that exhibit different modes of reproduction; typically sexual (diploid) and asexual (haploid) phases. Also termed metagenesis (Lincoln et al., 1998) (e.g. Daphnia, some rotifers)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AlternationOfGenerations
Alters bio-geochemical/hydrologic cyclesWhere the species alters the nature of chemical or water cycles.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Alters bio-geochemical/hydrologic cycles
Alters trophic interactionsWhere the species alters food web dynamics.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Alters trophic interactions
AmbusherSedentary or sessile predators, that wait for prey to come to them, and may or may not use a final pounce, traps or lures (e.g. sea anemones, large hydroids, spiders)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Ambusher
AmorphousCaCO3calcium carbonate that lacks a crystalline structure, or whose internal is so irregular that there is no characteristic external form. The term does not preclude the existence of any degree of order (Derived from Neuendorf et al. 2005)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AmorphousCaCO3
AmphiblastulaA poriferan larva, composed of a hollow ball of cells, with one hemisphere ciliated (Ruppert & Barnes, 1994).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Amphiblastula
AnchialineCavesCoastal salt water habitats with no surface connection to the sea.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AnchialineCaves
AnchorShapedE.g. Ceratium spp.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AnchorShaped
AnisogamousHaving flagellate gametes of different size, shape or behaviour (from Bold, 1977 and Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Anisogamous
AnnualEpisodicBreeds every year but in one or more discrete periods initiated by some trigger (for example a lunar cycle).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AnnualEpisodic
AnnualProtractedBreeds every year over an extended or drawn out period.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AnnualProtracted
ApomicticParthenogenesisReproduction via single cells /eggs that are derived by mitosis (Barnes et al., 1993) - amictic.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ApomicticParthenogenesis
AppendagesPaddlesSwimming is effected one or more pairs of appendages (legs or paddles) e.g. the pleiopods of Isopod, Amphipod or Decapod crustaceans, or the legs of amphibious vertebrates.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AppendagesPaddles
Aquaculture: accidentalAlien and potentially invasive species that have accidentally escaped from containment/ aquaculture facility into the wild.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Aquaculture: accidental
Aquaculture: deliberateAlien and potentially invasive species that have been intentionally introduced for aquaculture.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Aquaculture: deliberate
Aquatic transportWhere the species alters boat traffic or impedes ability of boats to navigate waterways.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Aquatic transport
Aragonitea crystalline form of calcium carbonate, e.g. one of the constituents of mollusc shells.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Aragonite
ArborescentArbuscularHaving the shape or characteristics of a tree.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ArborescentArbuscular
AristolesLanternSpecialist - sea urchinshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AristolesLantern
ArmsAppendagesTraits that describe specialized limbs or appendages used to catch or process food items.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ArmsAppendages
ArrhenotokyHaploid males develop from unfertilized eggs and diploid females from fertilized eggs (adapted from Lincoln 'et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Arrhenotoky
ArticulateJointed, arthrous (Holmes, 1979).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Articulate
ArtificialE.g. wood, metal or concrete structures.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Artificial
AscidianTadpoleA free-swimming tadpole-like larva of ascidians, characterized by a head (bearing internal organs and adhesive papilla) and tail (with notochord and neural tube) (Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AscidianTadpole
AsexualReproductionReproduction not involving the exchange of genetic material, amictic, individuals derived form a single parent (Barnes et al., 2006); not involving the fusion of gametes (Lincoln et al., 1998)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AsexualReproduction
AttachedSedimentAttached to the sediment surface e.g. by mucilagenous sheath such as used by necklace shells, and opistobranchshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AttachedSediment
AuriculariaFirst free-swimming larval stage of the Holothuroidea. It is characterized by a continuous and curving flagellated band (Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Auricularia
AutomicticParthenogenesisObligate self-fertilization (Lincoln et al., 1998) in which haploid eggs /gametes are produced by meiosis but diploidy is restored without fertilization.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:AutomicticParthenogenesis
AutotrophSelf-feeding. An organism capable of synthesizing complex organic substances from simple inorganic substrates (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Autotroph
BallooningKitingUse of a length of silk to be carried by the wind (e.g. spiders)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BallooningKiting
BathybenthicOccupying the ocean floor from ca 200 - 4000 m depth (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Bathybenthic
BathylpelagicExtends from ca 1000-2500 m.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Bathylpelagic
Beake.g. birds / cephalopodshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Beak
BedFormingAn organism that lives in large aggregations or beds (e.g. brittlestars, mussels, oysters, Crepidula etc, sea squirts)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BedForming
BedrockAny stable hard substratum, not separated into boulders or smaller sediment units. Includes soft rock-types such as chalk, peat and clay. (Hiscock et al., 1999; MarLIN)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Bedrock
BenthicPertaining to the sea bed, river bed or lake floor (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Benthic
BenthopelagicA zone of open water extending ca 100 m above the surface of the sea bed at all depths below the edge of the continental shelf.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Benthopelagic
BetaHaline30-36 psuhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BetaHaline
BetaMesohaline5-<10 psuhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BetaMesohaline
BetaOligohaline0.5-<3 psuhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BetaOligohaline
BetaPolyhaline18-<25 psuhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BetaPolyhaline
BiannualBreeds less frequently than every two years.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Biannual
BiannualEpisodicBreeds every second year but in one or more discrete periods initiated by some trigger (for example a lunar cycle).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BiannualEpisodic
BiannualProtractedBreeds once every two years over an extended or drawn out period.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BiannualProtracted
Bio-control: accidental translocation with deliberate bio-control releaseWhere an introduction of a bio-control agent results in an unintentional introduction of an invasive species (which is carried directly on the bio-control agent itself or along with habitat material associated with the bio-control agent).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Bio-control: accidental translocation with deliberate bio-control release
Bio-control: deliberate translocation as a bio-control agentWhere a species (i.e. a bio-control agent) introduced to control a pest, weed or invasive species becomes a problem itself.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Bio-control: deliberate translocation as a bio-control agent
BiodiffusorOrganisms whose activities that cause constant and random local sediment biomixing over short distances resulting in transport of sediment particles, analogous to molecular or eddy diffusion (from Kristensen et al., 2012). Includes epifaunal biodiffusers e.g. fiddler crabs; surficial biodiffusers e.g. Echinocardium; and gallery biodiffusers e.g. Nereis (Hediste) diversicolor.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Biodiffusor
BiogenicHabitat features created by living thingshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Biogenic
BiogenicReefAn elevated structure on the seabed built by calcareous or other concretion-forming organisms, or by chemical precipitation (Hiscock, 1996); for example by Modiolus modiolus or Sabellaria alveolatahttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BiogenicReef
Biological Descriptorshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Biological Descriptors
BipinnariaFirst of the two free-swimming larval forms in the asteroids, characterized by a ciliary band and the presence of arm-like projections (Stachowitsch, 1992; Ruppert & Barnes, 1994).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Bipinnaria
BirdsDirectiveEurope is home to more than 500 wild bird species. But at least 32 % of the EU's bird species are currently not in a good conservation status. The Birds Directive aims to protect all of the 500 wild bird species naturally occurring in the European Union.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BirdsDirective
BirdsDirectiveAnnex1194 species and sub-species are particularly threatened. Member States must designate Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for their survival and all migratory bird species.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BirdsDirectiveAnnex1
BirdsDirectiveAnnex282 bird species can be hunted. However, the hunting periods are limited and hunting is forbidden when birds are at their most vulnerable: during their return migration to nesting areas, reproduction and the raising of their chicks.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BirdsDirectiveAnnex2
BirdsDirectiveAnnex3Overall, activities that directly threaten birds, such as their deliberate killing, capture or trade, or the destruction of their nests, are banned. With certain restrictions, Member States can allow some of these activities for 26 species listed here.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BirdsDirectiveAnnex3
BirdsDirectiveAnnex4The directive provides for the sustainable management of hunting but Member States must outlaw all forms of non-selective and large scale killing of birds, especially the methods listed in this annex.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BirdsDirectiveAnnex4
BirdsDirectiveAnnex5The directive promotes research to underpin the protection, management and use of all species of birds covered by the Directive, which are listed in this annex.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BirdsDirectiveAnnex5
BitingMaceratingMouth parts designed to grasp and macerate food before swallowing (e.g. most vertebrates)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BitingMacerating
BitingPiercingMouth parts designed to pierce outside of food or prey and feed on internal fluids or tissueshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BitingPiercing
BivalvedCharacteristically a shell of two calcareous valves joined by a flexible ligament.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Bivalved
BivoltineTwo generations per year (Barnes et al., 2006).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Bivoltine
BlindEndedVentilationOrganisms that live in 'I' or 'J' shaped burrows open at only one end where water is drawn through or diffuses out of the sediment e.g. Arenicola marina (adapted from Kristensen et al., 2012).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BlindEndedVentilation
BodyAccretionBuild up or accumulation of sediment.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BodyAccretion
BodyAlgalGravelMaerl; twig-like unattached (free-living) calcareous red algae, often a mixture of species and including species which form a spiky cover on loose small stones - 'hedgehog stones'.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BodyAlgalGravel
BodyFormTraits relating to the form, shape and structure of the specieshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BodyForm
BodyShapeOverall shape of the individual or colony (modular forms)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BodyShape
BodySizeA measurement of the size of the organism. Note - the measurement used to express body size varies within taxonomic groups. For example, some disciplines measure diameter, others carapace length, total body length or wing span. Also body size can vary with gender and life stage.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BodySize
BodylengthMaximum recorded linear body length (in millimetres) excluding appendages.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Bodylength
Border InterceptSpecies that have been intercepted at borders as a result of detection procedures.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Border Intercept
BrachioloariaThe second the two free-swimming larval forms in the asteroids, characterized by the appearance of three adhesive arms at the anterior end (Ruppert & Barnes, 1994; Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Brachioloaria
Brackishhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Brackish
BrackishSalinity0.5-<30 psuhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BrackishSalinity
BroadcastBoth gametes are expelled (spawned) from the confines of the adult body or tissues, into the external fluid medium (water/air)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Broadcast
BroodChamberEggs retained by adult, usually in specialised cavity/appendage where the eggs develop to larval or juvenile stagehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BroodChamber
Broodinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Brooding
BroodingBehaviourhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BroodingBehaviour
BrowserFeeding on parts of plants (e.g. shoots, leaves, twigs) or parts of other organisms (e.g. siphon nipping by fish). (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Browser
BuccalOrgansAbsentThe buccal cavity lacks obvious differentiation of the wall and it is not eversible. Some species if buccal cavity present at all, is only a transient larval structure and becomes completely occluded.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BuccalOrgansAbsent
BuddingA form of asexual multiplication in which a new individual begins life as an outgrowth from the body of the parent. It may then separate to lead an independent existence or remain connected or otherwise associated to form a colonial organism (Barnes et al., 1993).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Budding
BullateSaccateBalloon or sac-like (Prescott, 1969).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BullateSaccate
BurrowBuilderAn organism that constructs permanent or semi-permanent burrows through physical excavation or chemical action.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BurrowBuilder
BurrowDwellerOccupies or shares space in burrow constructed by other organisms.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:BurrowDweller
BurrowerAn organism that moves through the substratum by burrowing or tunneling (e.g. earthworms, polychaetes).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Burrower
Bysso-PelagicUse of a length of byssus thread (e.g. micro-molluscs, juvenile molluscs) or mucus (e.g Nemertesia planulae) to be carried by water flowhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Bysso-Pelagic
CITESCITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is 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. Appendices I, II and III to the Convention are lists of species afforded different levels or types of protection from over-exploitation.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CITES
CITESAppendixIAppendix I lists species that are the most endangered among CITES-listed animals and plants (see Article II, paragraph 1 of the Convention). They are threatened with extinction and CITES prohibits international trade in specimens of these species except when the purpose of the import is not commercial (see Article III), for instance for scientific research. In these exceptional cases, trade may take place provided it is authorized by the granting of both an import permit and an export permit (or re-export certificate). Article VII of the Convention provides for a number of exemptions to this general prohibition.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CITESAppendixI
CITESAppendixIIAppendix II lists species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled. It also includes so-called "look-alike species", i.e. species whose specimens in trade look like those of species listed for conservation reasons (see Article II, paragraph 2 of the Convention). International trade in specimens of Appendix-II species may be authorized by the granting of an export permit or re-export certificate. No import permit is necessary for these species under CITES (although a permit is needed in some countries that have taken stricter measures than CITES requires). Permits or certificates should only be granted if the relevant authorities are satisfied that certain conditions are met, above all that trade will not be detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild. (See Article IV of the Convention)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CITESAppendixII
CITESAppendixIIIAppendix III is a list of species included at the request of a Party that already regulates trade in the species and that needs the cooperation of other countries to prevent unsustainable or illegal exploitation (see Article II, paragraph 3, of the Convention). International trade in specimens of species listed in this Appendix is allowed only on presentation of the appropriate permits or certificates. (See Article V of the Convention)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CITESAppendixIII
CalcareousAn organism that constructs reefs or biogenic structures composed of the calcareous skeletons of individuals or colonies (e.g. corals)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Calcareous
CalcareousSkeletonSkeleton composed of calcareous spicules (sponges/echinoderms), plates, spines, bones or other structureshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CalcareousSkeleton
Calcitecrystalline form of calcium carbonate, e. g. one of the constituents of mollusc shells and the skeletons of calcareous sponges.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Calcite
Canals: natural range expansion through man-made canalsWhere a canal, by joining two bodies of water which were not originally naturally joined, becomes a conduit for invasive species migration to a new area/region.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Canals: natural range expansion through man-made canals
CapitateClubbedEnlarged or swollen at the apex, with a ‘head’, clubbed (Prescott, 1969).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CapitateClubbed
Captaculaspecialist - scaphopodshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Captacula
CarnivoreAn organism that feeds on animal tissue/meat.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Carnivore
CaveA hollow normally eroded in a cliff (or vertical rock) with the penetration being greater than the width of the entrance (Hiscock, 1996).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Cave
CementedAttachedThe surface or body part to which eggs are attached by the parenthttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CementedAttached
CephalicSpinesspecialist - chaetognathshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CephalicSpines
ChainsForming chains of individualshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Chains
ChangeInAverageTrophicLevelOfMarinePredatorsInTheBayOfBiscayCommon in OSPAR Region IVhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ChangeInAverageTrophicLevelOfMarinePredatorsInTheBayOfBiscay
ChangesInBiodiversityIndexCommon in OSPAR Region IIIhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ChangesInBiodiversityIndex
ChangesInPlanktonFunctionalTypesIndexRatioCommon in OSPAR Regions II, III, IVhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ChangesInPlanktonFunctionalTypesIndexRatio
ChemoautotrophAn organism that obtains metabolic energy from oxidation of inorganic substrates such as sulphur, nitrogen or iron (e.g. some micro-organisms) (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Chemoautotroph
Chitinouscomposed of chitin, a long-chain polymer of N-acetylglucosamine. It is the chief polysaccharide in fungal cell walls and in the exoskeleton of arthropods (derived form Lawrence, 2005).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Chitinous
ChoanocytesSpecial feeding cell of spongeshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Choanocytes
CiliaFlagellaSwimming is effected by beating of cilia and or flagella; includes the fused cilia of Ctenophores.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CiliaFlagella
CircalittoralThe subzone of the rocky sublittoral below that dominated by algae (the infralittoral), and dominated by animals. No lower limit is defined, but species composition changes below about 40m to 80m depth, depending on depth of the seasonal thermocline. This subzone can be subdivided into the upper circalittoral where foliose algae are present and the lower circalittoral where they are not (see Hiscock, 1985). The term is also used by Glémarec (1973) to refer to two étages of the sediment benthos below the infralittoral: a "coastal circalittoral category with a eurythermal environment of weak seasonal amplitude (less than 10°C) varying slowly" and a "circalittoral category of the open sea with a stenothermal environment" (Hiscock, 1996).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Circalittoral
CircalittoralOffshoreTypically occurs below 50-70 metres away from the influence of wave action. Aphotic with animal communities in stable or stenothermal and stenohaline conditions. Open sea (Connor et al., 1997).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CircalittoralOffshore
ClathrateLatticed (Holmes, 1979).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Clathrate
Clawede.g. Mammalshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Clawed
Clay1) Sediment particles less than 0.004 mm in size (Wentworth, 1922). 2) A soft very fine-grained sedimentary rock composed primarily of clay-sized particles (Hiscock, 1996).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Clay
ClutchSizeNumber of eggs laid at one time - in organisms that may lay eggs in one or more batches.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ClutchSize
CoarseCleanSand1) Particle size 0.5 - 4 mm (Hiscock, 1996)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CoarseCleanSand
CoarseSedimentsSediments composed of gravel and sand; inc. gravel, gravelly sand and sandy gravel (Long, 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CoarseSediments
Cobbles64-256 mm. May be rounded or flat. Substrata that are predominantly cobbles.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Cobbles
Colonial (e.g. sea birds)Organisms that come together in large colonies (100 plus individuals) - often in the same area from season to season - usually for breeding purposeshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Colonial (e.g. sea birds)
Commensal (with/on/in)Symbiosis (q.v.) in which one species derives benefit from a common food supply, whilst the other species is not adversely affected (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Commensal (with/on/in)
CommonA species with is abundant or present at moderate or relatively moderate densities.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Common
Common to dominantA species which is found in relatively moderate to high densities (accounts for non-discrete nature of abundance terms/parameters described here).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Common to dominant
ConariaEarly larval stage in siphonophores, composed of a floating colony with disc-shaped float, and consists of a hollow sphere with aboral thickening (Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Conaria
ConditionOfBenthicHabitatCommunitiesCommon in OSPAR Regions II, III, IVhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ConditionOfBenthicHabitatCommunities
ConeHalfSphereCone with a half sphere (Olenina et al., 2006).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ConeHalfSphere
ConicalCone shaped e.g. limpet-shaped, patelliform (adapted from Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Conical
Consumes native species (predator or herbivore)Where the species preys on native fauna or grazes on native flora.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Consumes native species (predator or herbivore)
ContactDippinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ContactDipping
CopepodidFree swimming larval stage, typically with five sub-stages, characterized by excretion through maxillary glands, and progressive increase in number of body segments and posterior appendages (see Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Copepodid
CoralSandsDeposition of sands formed by the breakdown to the skeletons of living organismshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CoralSands
CoronateFree-swimming, lecithotrophic larva of Bryozoahttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Coronate
CrawlerWalkerClimberAn organism that moves across, up or down the substratum via movements of its legs, appendages or muscles (e.g. Carcinus).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CrawlerWalkerClimber
CreeperAn organism that moves slowly or 'creeps' across the surface of the substratumhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Creeper
CrevicesFissuresA narrow crack in hard substratum where penetration is deeper than the width at the entrance; a crevice is <10 mm wide at the entrance, while a fissure is >10 mm (Hiscock ,1996)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CrevicesFissures
CriticallyEndangeredA taxon is Critically Endangered when the best available evidence indicates that it meets any of the criteria A to E for Critically Endangered (see Section V), and it is therefore considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CriticallyEndangered
Cruisingcopepod / zooplankton specific??http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Cruising
CrustoseHardForming or resembling a crust (Thompson, 1995) that is solid or resistant to touch or pressure e.g. encrusting coralline algae or sea mats such as Umbonula littoralis.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CrustoseHard
CrustoseSoftForming or resembling a crust (Thompson, 1995) that yields to the touch or pressure e.g. the gelatinous colonies of Botryllus schlosseri or soft cushions of sponges such as Halichondria sp.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:CrustoseSoft
Ctenidiae.g bivalve molluscshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Ctenidia
CushionA mass or pillow of soft material.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Cushion
CydippidFree-swimming spherical larva, composed of a simple gastrovascular system and short comb-rows; resembles typical adult ctenophore (see Stachowitsch, 1992, Ruppert & Barnes, 1994).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Cydippid
CylindricalWith straight sides and a circular section (Thompson, 1995).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Cylindrical
CyphonautesFree-swimming bryozoan larva, the body is triangular, compressed and enclosed in a bivalve shell (see Ruppert & Barnes, 1994).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Cyphonautes
CyprisFinal lecithotrophic larval stage, characterized by bivalved carapace, compound eyes, prehensile antennules and thoraic appendages (cirri) (see Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Cypris
DabblingSeabirds/waders?http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Dabbling
Damage to marine structures or archaeologyWhere the species degrades marine infrastructures or archaeological sites.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Damage to marine structures or archaeology
DataDeficientA taxon is Data Deficient when there is inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction based on its distribution and/or population status. A taxon in this category may be well studied, and its biology well known, but appropriate data on abundance and/or distribution are lacking. Data Deficient is therefore not a category of threat. Listing of taxa in this category indicates that more information is required and acknowledges the possibility that future research will show that threatened classification is appropriate. It is important to make positive use of whatever data are available. In many cases great care should be exercised in choosing between DD and a threatened status. If the range of a taxon is suspected to be relatively circumscribed, and a considerable period of time has elapsed since the last record of the taxon, threatened status may well be justified.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:DataDeficient
DeOxygenationToleranceMin Valuehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:DeOxygenationTolerance
Debris: transport of species on human generated debrisWhere floating rafts of man-made materials become vectors for an invasive species.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Debris: transport of species on human generated debris
DemersalLiving at or near the bottom of a sea or lake but having the capacity for active swimming (from Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Demersal
DendroidBranching irregularly – similar to that of a root system (Prescott, 1969).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Dendroid
DependancyDescription of an organism's relationship with other organismshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Dependancy
DepositFeederAn organism that feeds on fragmented particulate organic matter within or on the substratum (adapted from Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:DepositFeeder
DepthMaximum recorded depth below chart datum (expressed in metres).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Depth
DepthRangeMaximum to minimum recorded depth (expressed as metres below chart datum).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:DepthRange
DepthSubstratumThe depth within the substratum at which the organism is found (max recorded in metres).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:DepthSubstratum
Detected in invasion pathwaySpecies detected in invasion pathways for example in ballast water, or as a hull-fouling organism.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Detected in invasion pathway
Detected in the wildSpecies that have been recorded as present in the wild with no further information.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Detected in the wild
DetritivoreAn organism that feeds on fragmented particulate organic matter (detritus) (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Detritivore
DiameterThe length of a straight line passing from side to side through the centre of a body or figure, especially a circle or sphere. Note: For diameter you can specify the measurement type (minimum, maximum, average), gender (male, female) and life stage.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Diameter
DiapauseStageDescription of dormant stagehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:DiapauseStage
DielDaily, pertaining to a 24 hour period.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Diel
DigitateHaving parts arranged like fingers on a hand (Holmes, 1979).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Digitate
DiplonticA life cycle characterized by a diploid adult stage producing haploid gametes by meiosis, the zygote forming by fusion of a pair of gametes (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Diplontic
Dippingseabird specific?http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Dipping
DippingToSurfacehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:DippingToSurface
DirectDevelopmentDevelopment without a larval stagehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:DirectDevelopment
DispersalPotentialPotential for dispersal provided by one or more larval/juvenile stages, recorded in m, km.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:DispersalPotential
DispersalPotentialAdultThe distance over which the adult organism is able to roam, travel or disperse; the greatest potnetial or recorded distance. Does not acknowledge limitations due to geography, hydrography, or behavioural (territorial) constraints.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:DispersalPotentialAdult
Distribution DescriptorsFields and traits that describe the distribution of the species.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Distribution Descriptors
DivingSeabird specific?http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Diving
DoliolariaSecond free-swimming larvae (after the auricularia) in the Holothuroidea. It is characterized by a series of flagellated rings around a barrel-shaped body (Ruppert & Barnes, 1994; Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Doliolaria
DominantA species which is very abundant or present at high densities or relatively high densities.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Dominant
DoubleConeDouble cone (Olenina et al., 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:DoubleCone
DownwardConveyorOrganisms that live vertically in the sediment, typically heads-up at the surface, and that ingest particles at the surface and egest them as faeces at depth in the sediment (adapted from Kristensen et al., 2012).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:DownwardConveyor
DrifterAn organism whose movement is dependent on wind or water currents (e.g. Aurelia).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Drifter
DrivingFishForwardseabird, cetaceans?http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:DrivingFishForward
EchinopluteusFree-swimming larva of Echinoidea, distinguished by six pairs of arms, supported by skeletal rods (see Ruppert & Barnes, 1994; Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Echinopluteus
Ecological DescriptorsCollection of traits relating to species ecologyhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Ecological Descriptors
EcologicalInteractionTraits relating to how a species interacts with it's surrounding environment and other associated species.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:EcologicalInteraction
EcophysiologyTraits that describe an physiological and environmental tolerance of an organismhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Ecophysiology
EctoparasiticParasitic on the outer surface of its host (adapted from Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Ectoparasitic
EggClutchLocationDescription of where fertilized eggs are placed or heldhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:EggClutchLocation
EggPropaguleSizeSize (diameter) of macrogamete (egg or ovum) in µm, mm, cm.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:EggPropaguleSize
EggSacfor example the egg sacs of copepods - carried by adulthttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:EggSac
Eggshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Eggs
ElevationA measure of height above chart datum, recorded in metreshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Elevation
EnclosedCoastA marine inlet or harbour fully enclosed from the open sea except at the entrance, not normally open to the sea at two ends. The connection with the open sea is normally less restricted than is the case with lagoons (Hiscock, 1996).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:EnclosedCoast
EncrustingForms or resembles a crust over a substratum or other organismshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Encrusting
EndangeredA taxon is Endangered when the best available evidence indicates that it meets any of the criteria A to E for Endangered (see Section V), and it is therefore considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Endangered
EndoparasiticParasitic within the tissues or organs of its host (see Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Endoparasitic
EndophyticA plant living within another plant (Lincoln et al., 1998)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Endophytic
Endoskeletoninternal structure that supports the body of an organismhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Endoskeleton
EndozoicLiving within the body of an animal (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Endozoic
EnvironmentBroad descriptors of the major environmental regionshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Environment
EnvironmentalPositionPosition relative to substratum or fluid medium (air/water).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:EnvironmentalPosition
EphyraYoung, free-swimming medusa stage typically developing from attached scyphistoma or occasionally direct from a planula. Umbrella typically composed of eight, bifurcated arms (Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Ephyra
EpibenthicLiving on the surface of the seabed.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Epibenthic
EpifaunalAn animal living on the surface of the substratum.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Epifaunal
EpifloralA plant living on the surface of the substratum.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Epifloral
EpilithicLiving on the surface of rock or other hard inorganic substratahttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Epilithic
EpipelagicThe photic zone, includes the open ocean influenced by light.  The lower boundary is dependent on the depth of light penetration and is generally regarded extend to ca 200 m in depth.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Epipelagic
EpipelicAn organism that moves over the surface of sediment or lives at the sediment / water interface.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Epipelic
EpiphyticLiving on the surface of a living plant but not parasitic upon it.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Epiphytic
EpizooicLiving on the exterior of a living animal but not parasitic upon it.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Epizooic
EradicatedSpecies that have been subject to an eradication event and have been confirmed as eradicated.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Eradicated
Eradication unconfirmedSpecies that have been subject to an eradication event but have not been confirmed as eradicated.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Eradication unconfirmed
ErectMain visible parts of organism stand upright and above the surface of the substratum.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Erect
EstablishedSpecies that have become established in their introduced range.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Established
Established and expandingSpecies that have become established in their introduced range and are known to be increasing in abundance and expanding their range.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Established and expanding
Established and stableSpecies that have become established in their introduced range but are not known to be spreading aggressively.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Established and stable
EstuaryDownstream part of a river where it widens to enter the sea; often with significant freshwater influence and predominantly comprising sediment habitats.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Estuary
Eulittoral1) The region between the highest and lowest extent of the tide on the shore. 2) The shore zone between the lowest and highest seasonal water level in a lake (Lincoln et al., 1998)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Eulittoral
EversiblePharynxPharynx can be everted to engulf and/or seize food itemshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:EversiblePharynx
ExoskeletonA rigid external structure that supports and/or protects the body of an organism and that is mainly completely secreted by the epidermis (derived from Lawrence 2005).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Exoskeleton
Exposed1) Coasts which face the prevailing wind but which have a degree of shelter because of extensive shallow areas offshore, offshore obstructions, or a restricted (less than 90°) window to open water. These sites are not generally exposed to large waves or regular swell. 2) Open coasts facing away from prevailing winds but with a long fetch, and where strong winds are frequent.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Exposed
ExtentOfPhysicalDamageToPredominantAndSpecialHabitatsCommon in OSPAR Regions II, III, IVhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ExtentOfPhysicalDamageToPredominantAndSpecialHabitats
ExternalEgg/sperm meet and fertilize externally to parental individuals, tissues or confines of their bodies, but within the fluid mediumhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:External
ExternalTubeA built-structure inhabited by an organism and essential to its survival, but not part of its body, composed of hardened (either rigid or flexible) secretions, with or without the addition of embedded particles, with those particles either selectively collected from the environment or passively becoming glued during formation (pers. comm. Read, G.).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ExternalTube
ExtinctA taxon is Extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. A taxon is presumed Extinct when exhaustive surveys in known and/or expected habitat, at appropriate times (diurnal, seasonal, annual), throughout its historic range have failed to record an individual. Surveys should be over a time frame appropriate to the taxon’s life cycle and life form.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Extinct
ExtinctInTheWildA taxon is Extinct in the Wild when it is known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population (or populations) well outside the past range. A taxon is presumed Extinct in the Wild when exhaustive surveys in known and/or expected habitat, at appropriate times (diurnal, seasonal, annual), throughout its historic range have failed to record an individual. Surveys should be over a time frame appropriate to the taxon’s life cycle and life form.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ExtinctInTheWild
ExtirpatedSpecies that were present but have been declared extinct.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Extirpated
ExtremelyExposedOpen coastlines which face into the prevailing wind and receive both wind-driven waves and oceanic swell without any offshore obstructions such as islands or shallows for several thousand kilometres and where deep water is close to the shore (50 m depth contour within about 300 m).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ExtremelyExposed
ExtremelyShelteredFully enclosed coasts with a fetch of no more than about 3 km.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ExtremelySheltered
FAOASFISSpeciesForFisheryStatisticsPurposesThe FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Statistics and Information Branch (FIAS) collates world capture and aquaculture production statistics at either the species, genus, family or higher taxonomic levels in 2 346 statistical categories (2019 data release) referred to as species items. ASFIS list of species includes 12 771 species items selected according to their interest or relation to fisheries and aquaculture. For each species item stored in a record, codes (ISSCAAP group, taxonomic and 3-alpha) and taxonomic information (scientific name, author(s), family, and higher taxonomic classification) are provided. An English name is available for most of the records, and about one third of them have also a French and Spanish name. Information is also provided about the availability of fishery production statistics on the species item in the FAO databases.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FAOASFISSpeciesForFisheryStatisticsPurposes
FaunalBedsDense aggregation of animals that visually dominate the seabed or shore such as brittlestars (e.g. Ophiothrix fragilis ) or mussels (e.g. Mytilus edulis).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FaunalBeds
FeaturesOtherDescriptors of types of unusual or unique types of substratum or habitathttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FeaturesOther
FecundityNumber of eggs reported produced per female per reproductive cycle.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Fecundity
FeedingTraits related to how an organism feeds, the food type and feeding method exhibited by a specieshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Feeding
FeedingApparatusDescription of the apparatus (mechanism) used to collect/capture foodhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FeedingApparatus
FeedingMethodBehaviourA description of how the oganism gathers food, and from wherehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FeedingMethodBehaviour
FertilizationDescription of the location of fertilization, whereby in animals/macroalgae a gametes are fertilized or in plants pollination occurs.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Fertilization
FilerBasketSpecialist e.g. sea squirtshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FilerBasket
FiliformSlender and thread-like (Kozloff, 1996).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Filiform
FineCleanSandParticle size 0.063 - 0.5 mm (Hiscock, 1996)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FineCleanSand
Fisheries: accidental as baitThis is where an invasive species is used as a bait resulting in its introduction into a new area/region.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Fisheries: accidental as bait
Fisheries: accidental with deliberate translocations of fish or shellfishWhere in the process of stocking a fishery an associated invasive species is unintentionally introduced into a new area/region.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Fisheries: accidental with deliberate translocations of fish or shellfish
Fisheries: accidental with fishery products, packing or substrateWhere an invasive species is unintentionally introduced into a new area/region as a result of the movement of fishery related products or materials (ie: not the direct movement of fisheries stock).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Fisheries: accidental with fishery products, packing or substrate
Fisheries: deliberate translocations of fish or shellfish to establish or support fisheryWhere an invasive species is intentionally introduced into a new area/region for the purpose of stocking/replenishing/establishing a fishery industry based on the invasive species.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Fisheries: deliberate translocations of fish or shellfish to establish or support fishery
FissionA form of asexual multiplication involving division of the body into two or more parts each or all of which can grow into new individuals (Barnes et al., 1993).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Fission
FlabellateShaped like a fan, fanlike (Brusca, 1980).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Flabellate
FlaccidSoft, limp, flabby (Brusca, 1980).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Flaccid
FlattenedEllipsoidFlattened ellipsoid (Olenina et al., 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FlattenedEllipsoid
FlexibilityAn indication of how far an organism can bend/flex without breaking or suffering damage - High (>45°) / Low (10 – 45°) / None (<10°)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Flexibility
FloatingSeabirds/waderhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Floating
FluctuatingA species which exhibits fluctuating densities (either undefined in the literature or otherwise not mentioned in the abundance terms/parameters described here).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Fluctuating
FlyerFlightAn organism able to propel itself though the air e.g. using wings, such as winged insects, birdshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FlyerFlight
FolioseBearing leaves or leaf-like structures; having the appearance of a leaf.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Foliose
FollowingFishingBoatsSeabirdshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FollowingFishingBoats
FoodPiracyStealing food from other birds in flighthttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FoodPiracy
FoodTypeDietDescription of the source of the organisms nurishment, i.e. what it feeds onhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FoodTypeDiet
FootPaddlingSeabirds/Waderhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FootPaddling
FootStirringSeabirds/Waderhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FootStirring
ForestA dense stand of large plants in which the upper branches (trees) or laminae (macroalgae) overlap to form a canopy that shades the under story of flora and fauna.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Forest
ForestFormingAn organism that forms a large area of close individuals forming a canopy (e.g. trees, large kelps).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ForestForming
ForkLength1) Length of a fish measured from the tip of the snout to the posterior end of the middle caudal rays. This measurement is used instead of standard length for fishes on which it is difficult to ascertain the end of the vertebral column, and instead of total length in fish with stiff, forked tail, e.g., tuna. Mostly used in fishery biology and not in systematics. (FishBase)

2) Fork length (FL) refers to the length of a fish measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the middle caudal fin rays and is used in fishes in which it is difficult to tell where the vertebral column ends. (Wikipedia)

3) Fork length (FL) can be specified as:
  • Maximum length: Size (in cm) of the largest male/unsexed or female specimen ever caught. (FishBase)
  • Common length: Size (in cm) at which male/unsexed or female specimen(s) are commonly caught or marketed. (FishBase)
http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ForkLength
FragileLikely to break, or crack as a result of physical impact; brittle or friable.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Fragile
FragilityA qualitative estimate of the susceptibility of a species to physical damage.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Fragility
FreeLivingFree living - little modificationhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FreeLiving
FreeWaterColumnEggs spawned into water columnhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FreeWaterColumn
Freshwaterhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Freshwater
FreshwaterSalinity<0.5 psuhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FreshwaterSalinity
FunnelShapedShaped like a funnelhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:FunnelShaped
GameteTypeDescriptors of the relative size of gameteshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GameteType
GenerationTimeThe mean period of time between reproduction by parent generation and the reproduction of the first filial generation (Lincoln et al., 1998); recorded in years.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GenerationTime
Genetic impacts: hybridisation and introgressionWhere the species degrades native genetic resources (by hybridizing with native fauna/flora).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Genetic impacts: hybridisation and introgression
GillRakersSpecialist - e.g. planktivorous fish such as basking sharkhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GillRakers
GillsWhere the respiratory organs also power and/or provide a feeding apparatus (muco-cilliary feeding)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Gills
GliderAn organism that is able to glide through the air (e.g. using some form of membrane) but cannot propel itself through the air (e.g. flying fish)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Glider
GloboseApproximately spherical, ovoid or globular (Brusca, 1980).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Globose
GlochidiumSpecialist larval form in some freshwater bivalves, characterized by a bivalve shell, with or with a pair of hooks, and a long adhesive thread or tentacle. It lives as a temporary parasite on the gills or fins of fish. In some species a modified glochidium is termed a 'lasidium' before attachment and a 'haustorium' after attachment (Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Glochidium
GoettesLarvaFree-swimming four armed (lobed) ciliated larva of Platyhelminthes (see Ruppert & Barnes, 1994).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GoettesLarva
GonochoristicHaving separate sexes/genders (Barnes et al., 1993).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Gonochoristic
Gorgoninfibrous protein in the mesoglea of sea fans (gorgonians) which forms the stiff skeleton of the colony.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Gorgonin
GraspingTentacles that grab and grasp food itemshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Grasping
GraspingClawsAppendages bear grasping claws (chelae) - e.g. arthropods, crabs, scorpionshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GraspingClaws
GraspingPawsVertebrate hands, feat, paws etc designed to grasp food items using claws, talons etc.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GraspingPaws
GravelShingle1) Particle size 4 -16 mm. 2) Clean stone or shell gravel including dead maerl (Hiscock, 1996) 3) >80% gravel (Long, 2006).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GravelShingle
GravellyMudMud with 5-30% gravel (see Long, 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GravellyMud
GravellyMuddySandSand (50-90%) with gravel (>5%) and mud (see Long, 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GravellyMuddySand
GravellySandSand with 5-30% gravel (see Long 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GravellySand
GrazerFeeding on herbage, algae or phytoplankton by consuming the whole plant or the surface growth (Lincoln et al., 1998)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Grazer
GrazerBrowserGenerally mobile consumers of sessile prey (e.g. plants, hydroids) cropping exposed tissues usually without killing the whole individual or colony.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GrazerBrowser
GrazerFrondsBladesAnimals that rasp benthic algae (or sessile animals, such as bryozoan crusts) from the surface of macroalgal fronds and blades (Hiscock et al., 1999).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GrazerFrondsBlades
GrazerGrainsParticlesAnimals that rasp benthic algae (or sessile animals, such as bryozoan crusts) from inorganic particles e.g. sand grains (MarLIN; Hiscock et al., 1999).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GrazerGrainsParticles
GrazerSurfaceSubstratumAnimals that rasp benthic algae (or sessile animals, such as bryozoan crusts) from the substratum (MarLIN; Hiscock et al., 1999).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GrazerSurfaceSubstratum
GregariousLiving in groups or communities, growing in clusters (Thompson, 1995) - where the organisms actively seek out members of the same species as adult or larvae/juveniles for protection from the environment, predators or for breedinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Gregarious
GreySealPupProductionCommon in OSPAR Regions II, IIIhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GreySealPupProduction
GroundForagingseabirds?http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GroundForaging
GrowthFormDeterministic growth or indeterminate growth resulting in single unitary individuals or modular (colonial) organisms.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GrowthForm
GrowthRate(expressed as µm, mm, cm per day/month/year)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:GrowthRate
HabitatTraits that describe an organisms preferred habitat and its position within that habitat.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Habitat
HabitatModificationA general term to describe how the organism lives in or interacts with its habitat (adapted from BIOTIC, Bolam et al., 2013).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HabitatModification
HabitatPreferenceshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HabitatPreferences
HabitatsDirectiveThe Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) ensures the conservation of a wide range of rare, threatened or endemic animal and plant species. Some 200 rare and characteristic habitat types are also targeted for conservation in their own right. All in all, over 1.000 animal and plant species, as well as 200 habitat types, listed in the directive's annexes are protected in various ways.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HabitatsDirective
HabitatsDirectiveAnnexI(needs a definition)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HabitatsDirectiveAnnexI
HabitatsDirectiveAnnexIIAnnex II species (about 900): core areas of their habitat are designated as sites of Community importance (SCIs) and included in the Natura 2000 network. These sites must be managed in accordance with the ecological needs of the species.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HabitatsDirectiveAnnexII
HabitatsDirectiveAnnexIII(needs a definition)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HabitatsDirectiveAnnexIII
HabitatsDirectiveAnnexIVAnnex IV species (over 400, including many annex II species): a strict protection regime must be applied across their entire natural range within the EU, both within and outside Natura 2000 sites.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HabitatsDirectiveAnnexIV
HabitatsDirectiveAnnexVAnnex V species (over 90): Member States must ensure that their exploitation and taking in the wild is compatible with maintaining them in a favourable conservation status.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HabitatsDirectiveAnnexV
HabitatsDirectiveAnnexVI(needs a definition)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HabitatsDirectiveAnnexVI
HadobenthicOccupying the ocean floor at depths exceeding ca 6000 m. Usually in trenches and canyons of the abyssal zone. (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Hadobenthic
HadopelagicOpen waters of deep oceanic trenches, from ca 6000 m and below.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Hadopelagic
HalfConeHalf cone (Olenina et al., 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HalfCone
HalfConeFlattenedEllipsoidHalf cone with flattened ellipsoid (Olenina et al., 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HalfConeFlattenedEllipsoid
HalfParallelepipedHalf parallelepiped (Olenina et al., 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HalfParallelepiped
HalfSphereDomeHalf sphere (dome)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HalfSphereDome
HaploidDiploidBoth haploid and diploid forms, with gametophytes giving rise to haploid gametes, and sporophytes giving rise to haploid spores by meiosishttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HaploidDiploid
HaplonticA life cycle in which meiosis occurs in the zygote to produce the haploid phase but in which only the zygote is diploid (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Haplontic
HardHard substratum e.g. bedrock, concrete, boulders,cobbles and pebbleshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Hard
HardImmobileImmobile hard substratum e.g. solid rock, concrete but including soft rocks, such as chalk.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HardImmobile
HardMobileMobile hard substratum, e.g. cobbles, pebbles that are regularly moved by wave action.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HardMobile
HardSubstrataAttached or stuck to hard substrata, e.g. dog whelk capsuleshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HardSubstrata
Hawkinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Hawking
HeightAboveSubstratumHeight above the surface of the substratum of an individual or single modular colony. e.g a blade of seagrass, a seaweed thallus, projecting tube worm, upright sea pen etc.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HeightAboveSubstratum
HerbivoreAn organism which only feeds on plants, including phytoplankton.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Herbivore
HeteromorphicThe haploid and diploid phases are different in size and body shape; the gametophyte is often diminutive (small to microscopic).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Heteromorphic
HeterotrophAn organism that obtains nourishment from exogenous (external) organic material (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Heterotroph
HighMagnesiumCalciteCalcite where more then 8wt.% CaCO3 is substituted by MgCO3.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HighMagnesiumCalcite
HostAn organism that provides food or shelter for another organisms, e.g. the inhabited symbiont. May be a definitive host infected by an adult stage or an intermediate host infected by life stages (see Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Host
HoverDippinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HoverDipping
HoveringBird/insect specifichttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Hovering
Human healthWhere the species impacts human health.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Human health
HydrostaticSkeletal support provided by hydrostatic pressure from a fluid filled cavity (e.g. the coelum) surrounded by muscles. Hydrostatic pressure provides skeletal support in sea anemones, jellyfish, nematodes, annelids, echinoderms, and other groups.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Hydrostatic
HyperSaline>40 psuhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:HyperSaline
HyperbenthicLiving above but close to the substratum (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Hyperbenthic
IUCNRedListProvides taxonomic, conservation status, and distribution information on taxa that are facing a high risk of global extinction. http://www.iucnredlist.org/http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:IUCNRedList
IceAssociatedSea ice, icebergs and other ice-associated marine habitats.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:IceAssociated
ImpactInformation on the impact of introduced and invasive marine species has been recorded. These include impacts on native species, their habitats and ecosystems, human health and activity, transmission of diseases, etc. Descriptive terms of impacts were standardized and listed in a look-up table. These terms have been adapted from Hayes (2005).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Impact
In captivity/cultivatedSpecies that have been introduced and maintained in captivity or cultivated for example those species that are farmed in aquaculture or mariculture facilities.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:In captivity/cultivated
Independant (Free living)Independant, individual organismshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Independant (Free living)
Individual release: accidental release by individualsThis describes any situation in which an invasive species is "accidentally" set free in the wild from aquaria sources leading to its introduction into a new area/region.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Individual release: accidental release by individuals
Individual release: deliberate release by individualsThis describes any situation in which an invasive species is intentionally planted or set free in the wild leading to its introduction into a new area/region.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Individual release: deliberate release by individuals
Induces novel behavioural or eco-physiological responsesWhere the species affects the behaviour of native species.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Induces novel behavioural or eco-physiological responses
InfaunalBenthic animals which live within the seabed.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Infaunal
InfralittoralA subzone of the sublittoral in which upward-facing rocks are dominated by erect algae, typically kelps; it can be further subdivided into the upper and lower infralittoral (based on Hiscock, 1985). The term is also used by Glémarec (1973) to refer to areas (étages) with a eurythermal environment of great seasonal and also daily and tidal amplitude. 1) lower The part of the infralittoral subzone which, on hard substrata, supports scattered kelp plants (a kelp park) or from which kelps are absent altogether and the seabed is dominated by foliose red and brown algae. It may be difficult to distinguish the lower infralittoralwhere grazing pressure prevents the establishment of foliose algae. 2) upper The part of the infralittoral subzone which, on hardsubstrata, is dominated by Laminariales forming a dense canopy, or kelp forest (based on Hiscock, 1985).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Infralittoral
InhalentSiphonSpecialist - modified siphon to capture preyhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:InhalentSiphon
InquilinistA symbiotic association in which one symbiont lives in close association with another, generally in the tube or burrow or actually within a body chamber of the host (Brusca, 1980).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Inquilinist
InstarAny intermoult stage in the development of an arthropod (Lincoln et al., 1998)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Instar
IntermediaryLiable to suffer minor damage, chips or cracks as result of physical impacts.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Intermediary
InternalFertilization (gametes meet) within the body (or body cavity or accessory organ) of the individualhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Internal
InterstitialLiving within the system of cavities and channels formed by the spaces between grains in a sediment (interstitial space).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Interstitial
Introduced Species CatalogTerms and definitions used in the World Register of Introduced Marine Species (WRIMS).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Introduced Species Catalog
Introduced country and/or sea areaCountry or sea area that is recorded as the known introduced range of the species.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Introduced country and/or sea area
Introduction unverifiedSpecies whose presence is uncertain, maybe reported as present anecdotally but not confirmed.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Introduction unverified
Introvertspecialist - sipunculanshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Introvert
InvasiveSpecies that are known to be invasive- those species in whose cases evidence of impact has been recorded or which is spreading aggressively.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Invasive
InvasivenessTerms used to describe 'Invasiveness' of species.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Invasiveness
Invasiveness Not specifiedA species whose 'invasiveness' has not been specified in its introduced range. The species is known to be present and has been reported but there is no comment on its invasiveness.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Invasiveness Not specified
Invasiveness UncertainSpecies whose invasiveness is uncertain.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Invasiveness Uncertain
IsogamousGametes similar in size, shape and behaviour, not differentiated into male or female (Lincoln et al., 1998)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Isogamous
IsomorphicHaploid and diploid phases morphologically identicalhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Isomorphic
Iteroparous1) Breeding several times per lifetime. 2) Organisms that have repeated reproductive cycles (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Iteroparous
JetPropulsionSwimming is effected by contraction of the body or body cavity to produce a 'jet' of water, e.g. medusae and cephalopods (from Barnes et al., 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:JetPropulsion
Jumper/HopperOrganisms able to undertake a rapid jump or hop several times their own body length, using specialised limbs or appendages (e.g. sand hoppers, spring tails, grass hoppers etc)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Jumper/Hopper
JuvenileEarly adult life stage of an organism that shares the morphology and ecology of the adult but is not capable of reproduction.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Juvenile
Juvenileshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Juveniles
Keratinouscomposed of keratin, a fibrous protein rich cysteine constituent of intermediate filaments (keratin filaments), chief material in horn, hair, nails and the upper layer of skin (derived from Lawrence, 2005).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Keratinous
KleptoparasitismIn which the female of one species steals the food reserves or prey of a female of another species, to feed her own progeny (Lincoln et al., 1998)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Kleptoparasitism
LagoonEnclosed bodies of water, separated or partially separated from the sea by shingle, sand or sometimes rock and with a restricted exchange of water with the sea, yielding varying salinity regimes.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Lagoon
LanceolateLance shaped and usually elongate (Brusca, 1980).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Lanceolate
LargeBoulders>512 mm; likely to be stable (Hiscock, 1996).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:LargeBoulders
LargeInsectColoniesLarge colonies of indivduals cooperating for mutual benefit, made up of thousnads or more individuals, often with a dominant matriach, e.g. social incests , bees etc.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:LargeInsectColonies
LarvaAn independent, motile, developmental stage of an organism, that differs in morphology and ecology from the juvenile or adult stage, and undergoes a metamorphosis to become the juvenile or adult (adapted from Ruppert & Barnes, 1994; Barnes et al., 2006).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Larva
LarvalJuvenileDevelopmentDescription of how the larvae or juveniles develop into adultshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:LarvalJuvenileDevelopment
LarvalSettlementDescription of the period of time over which larval settlement occurs.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:LarvalSettlement
LarvalStageDurationDuration of the larval stage recorded in days or months.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:LarvalStageDuration
LarvalSttlementSubstratumA description of the preferred substratum for larval settlementhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:LarvalSttlementSubstratum
LeastConcernA taxon is Least Concern when it has been evaluated against the criteria and does not qualify for critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:LeastConcern
LecithotrophicDevelopment at the expense of internal resources (i.e. yolk) provided by the female (Barnes et al., 1993).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Lecithotrophic
LifeCycleThe stages an organism passes through between the production of gametes by one generation and production of gametes by the next generation (Lincoln et al., 1998)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:LifeCycle
LifeSpanlife span/longevity, recorded in days, months, years.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:LifeSpan
LifehistoryTraits that describe the life history characteristics of an organismhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Lifehistory
LifestageDescription of the larval and juvenile stages in the life cycle of an organismhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Lifestage
LithotomousStone-boring; an organism that burrows into rock.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Lithotomous
Locally commonA species which is observed to have a patchy distribution in terms of being common only at some locations.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Locally common
Location TypeThree location types have been recorded to describe the native range and known introduced range of the specieshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Location Type
LophophoreSpecialist - filter feeding organ e.g. brachiopods, phoronids, bryozoanshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Lophophore
Loss of aquaculture/commercial/recreational harvest or gainWhere the species reduces aquaculture harvest or commercial/recreational gain.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Loss of aquaculture/commercial/recreational harvest or gain
Loss of public/tourist amenityWhere the species degrades amenities associated with public/tourist sites.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Loss of public/tourist amenity
LowerCircalittoralDominated by animals with no foliose algae but encrusting Rhodophycota patchy in grazed areas. The part of the circalittoral subzone on hard substrata below the maximum depth limit of foliose algae (based on Hiscock, 1985).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:LowerCircalittoral
LowerInfralittoralThe part of the infralittoral subzone which, on hard substrata, supports scattered kelp plants (a kelp park) or from which kelps are absent altogether and the seabed is dominated by foliose red and brown algae. It may be difficult to distinguish the lower infralittoral where grazing pressure prevents the establishment of foliose algae (based on Hiscock, 1985).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:LowerInfralittoral
LowerLittoralThe lower part of the shore only exposed (emersed) at the lowest part of the tide.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:LowerLittoral
LowerLittoralFringeThe bottom of the littoral fringe. In the UK, characterized by he Pelvetia/Porphyra belt with patchy Verrucaria maura and Fucus spiralis (on sheltered shores). Verrucaria mucosa present above the main barnacle population. May also include salt marsh species on shale/pebbles in shelter (Hiscock, 1996).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:LowerLittoralFringe
LuresAn organism that uses a lure to attract prey within range of its 'pounce' attackhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Lures
MSFDIndicatorsSpecies that comprise indicators or components of indicators for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/marine/eu-coast-and-marine-policy/marine-strategy-framework-directive/index_en.htm), with emphasis on Descriptors 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:MSFDIndicators
MacroalgaeMacroalgal surfaces, such as kelps and fucoids.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Macroalgae
MacrobiotaIndividual organisms with a mean body size between 2.0 and 200 mm.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Macrobiota
MaerlMaerl beds formed by build up of maerl.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Maerl
Management recordedSpecies for which some management action including prevention has been recorded in its introduced range.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Management recorded
Marinehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Marine
MarineBirdAbundanceCommon in OSPAR Regions II, III, IVhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:MarineBirdAbundance
MarineBirdBreedingSuccessFailureCommon in OSPAR Regions II, III, IVhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:MarineBirdBreedingSuccessFailure
MarineMammalBycatchCommon in OSPAR Region IIhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:MarineMammalBycatch
MarineSalinity30-40 psu (equals MNCR Full)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:MarineSalinity
MassiveBulky (Homes, 1979).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Massive
MatA dense mass which blankets the substratum.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Mat
MediumCleanSandParticle size 0.25-1mm (Hiscock, 1996)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:MediumCleanSand
MedusiformDisk, bell or umbrella shaped and often gelatinous (Barnes et al., 1988).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Medusiform
MegabiotaIndividual organisms with a mean body size larger than 200 mm.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Megabiota
MegalopaPost larval stage of decapod Crustacea (Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Megalopa
MeiobiotaIndividual organisms with a mean body size between 0.2 and 2.0 mm.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Meiobiota
Mesohaline5-<18 psu (equals MNCR Low, <18 psu)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Mesohaline
MesopelagicThe upper aphotic zone and extends to a depth of ca 1000 m.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Mesopelagic
MetanaupliusSecond larval stage in decapod Crustacea; resembles the nauplius but with more appendages (see Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Metanauplius
MicrobiotaIndividual organisms with a mean body size smaller than 0.2 mm.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Microbiota
MidEulittoralBarnacle - limpet dominated, sometimes mussels, with Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum. Mastocarpus stellatus and Palmaria palmata patchy in lower part. Usually quite a wide belt (Hiscock, 1996).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:MidEulittoral
MigratoryPeriodic movement of organisms between alternative habitats e.g. between areas for reproduction and one or more areas of non-reproductive activity, or between areas of foraging and areas used for other activities. Most migrations occur at predictable intervals triggered by stimuli e.g. unfavourable conditions. NB: Movements that do not include an obligatory return journey are classified as dispersal (Baretta-Bekker et al., 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Migratory
MitrariaA type of polychaete larva characterized by numerous long flotation bristles (Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Mitraria
MixedMixtures of a variety of sediment types, composed of pebble / gravel / sand / mud. This category includes muddy gravels, muddy sandy gravels, gravelly muds, and muddy gravelly sands.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Mixed
MixedCalcareousMaterialSkeleton composed of a mixture of any of aragonite, calcite, high magnesium calcite or amorphous CaCO3http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:MixedCalcareousMaterial
MixotrophAn organism that exhibts both autotrophy and heterotrophyhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Mixotroph
MobileCapable of movementhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Mobile
Mobilityhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Mobility
ModeOfLifeTraits relating to the mode of life a species exhibitshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ModeOfLife
ModeratelyExposedGenerally coasts facing away from prevailing winds and without a long fetch but where strong winds can be frequent.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ModeratelyExposed
ModeratelyStrong1 to 3 knots (0.5-1.5 m/sec.)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ModeratelyStrong
ModularOrganisms that grow by the repeated iteration of parts, e.g. the leaves, shoots and branches of a plant, the polyps of a coral or bryozoan. Modular organisms are almost always branched, though the connections between branches may separate or decay and the separated parts may in many cases then become physiologically independent (Begon et al., 2005).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Modular
MonocultureA species which exists to the exclusion of all other species including dense mats or in 100% of survey counts.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Monoculture
MonoeciousBoth male and female reproductive organs in a single individual (animals) or flower (plants) (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Monoecious
MonoraphidioidResembling a crescent moon (see Olenina et al., 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Monoraphidioid
MouthPartsTraits that describes specialized mouth partshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:MouthParts
MovementTraits relating to the movement of the specieshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Movement
MucusMeshSecretion of a simple or complex mucus mesh to filter food particles from water column (e.g polychaetes Chaetopterus and larvaceans.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:MucusMesh
Mud1) Particle size <0.063 mm (silt / clay fraction) (Hiscock, 1996) 2) >90% mud (Long, 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Mud
MudSandyMudMud and sandy muds where mud is the major fraction (see Long, 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:MudSandyMud
MuddyGravelGravel (30-80%) with mud (see Long, 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:MuddyGravel
MuddySandSand (50-90%) with mud (see Long, 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:MuddySand
MuddySandyGravelGravel (30-80%) with mud and sand (see Long, 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:MuddySandyGravel
MullersLarvaThe free-swimming eight armed (lobed) ciliated larva of Platyhelminthes (see Rupert & Barnes, 1994).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:MullersLarva
MultivoltineMany generations per year (Barnes et al., 2006).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Multivoltine
Muscular Contraction (body length)Swimming is effected by muscular contractions along the length of the body, which may be aided by body protrusions or structures (e.g. parapodia, fins).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Muscular Contraction (body length)
MuscularAxialProboscisThe proboscis has thickened, strongly muscular walls and can be retracted into a sheath. In other cases the pharynx is partially retracted and partially inverted. The mouth proper is located at the tip of the pharynx when fully everted. While some taxa have a jaw-less proboscis, others have jaws present as a bilaterally arranged pair, as one or two dorso-ventrally arranged pairs or as two pairs forming a cross.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:MuscularAxialProboscis
MutualistMutualismA symbiosis in which both organisms benefit; frequently a relationship of complete dependence. (Lincoln et al., 1998) (cf.symbiosis, commensalism, parasite).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:MutualistMutualism
NativeSpecies that is native to the country or sea area.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Native
Native - EndemicSpecies that is native and endemic to a country or sea area i.e. a species that is unique to a location or habitat.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Native - Endemic
Native - Non-endemicSpecies that is native to an area but is not endemic to it i.e. a species that has a wide native range.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Native - Non-endemic
Native country and/or native sea areaCountry or sea area which is the native range of the species.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Native country and/or native sea area
Natural dispersalWhere an invasive species migrates from a known introduced location to a new area/region using a natural mode/mechanism of dispersal; as the original location is part of its introduced range this pathway is included here.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Natural dispersal
NaupliusFree-swimming larva, with a characteristic triangular shape, rostral horns in some, three pairs of appendages, and sometimes a nauplia eye. The number of nauplius stages varies between groups (see Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Nauplius
NearThreatenedA taxon is Near Threatened when it has been evaluated against the criteria but does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable now, but is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:NearThreatened
NectochaetaA polychaete larval stage where the first set of chaetal bundles and parapodia develop, although the ciliary girdle remains for swimming (see Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Nectochaeta
NektonActive swimming organisms that live in the water column and are able to move independently of the water mass (adapted from Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Nekton
NeriticWater column overlying the continental shelf; surface to ca 200m depth.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Neritic
NeustonicLiving on or under the surface film of open water.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Neustonic
NoDiapausehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:NoDiapause
NoOviparousCareEggs are laid and abandoned by adulthttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:NoOviparousCare
NoViviparousCareOffspring are abandoned by the adulthttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:NoViviparousCare
NonBroodinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:NonBrooding
NonMigratoryResidentRemaining within the same area (from Lincoln et al.,1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:NonMigratoryResident
NonSelfingIncapable of self-fertilization, due to physical or temporal separation of gametes, and/or self-incompatability geneshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:NonSelfing
NonSolidCementcomponent that keeps the agglutinated particles of the non-massive skeleton together.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:NonSolidCement
NonSolidParticlesCompsmall and individual structural elements that function as supporting structure/enclosure, e.g. spicules in sponges.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:NonSolidParticlesComp
NonTerritorialIndependent without a defined territoryhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:NonTerritorial
NonfeedingNon-feeding life stages (e.g. lecithotroph)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Nonfeeding
Not invasiveSpecies that has not demonstrated any invasive traits in its introduced range.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Not invasive
NotEvaluatedA taxon is Not Evaluated when it has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:NotEvaluated
OSPARCommonIndicatorsThe common indicators agreed by OSPAR for assessing the status of biodiversity in the North-East Atlantic cover marine mammals, seabirds, fish communities, seafloor habitats, pelagic habitats, non-indigenous species and food webs.

The biodiversity common indicators contributed assessments of the status biodiversity in the North-East Atlantic to the OSPAR Intermediate Assessment 2017. The assessments are published in the OSPAR Assessment Portal.

The indicators are based on information from monitoring programmes described in the Coordinated Environment Monitoring Programme (CEMP). The programmes are described in the Appendices to the CEMP Agreement. Detailed descriptions, including method descriptions for the indicator calculations, are included in the CEMP Guideline Agreements.
http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:OSPARCommonIndicators
OSPARListOfThreatenedAndOrDecliningSpeciesAndHabitatsThe OSPAR Biological Diversity and Ecosystems Strategy sets out that the OSPAR Commission will assess which species and habitats need to be protected. This OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats has been developed to fulfil this commitment. It is based upon nominations by Contracting Parties and observers to the Commission of species and habitats that they consider to be priorities for protection.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:OSPARListOfThreatenedAndOrDecliningSpeciesAndHabitats
OSPARRegionIArcticWatersRegion I is the most northerly OSPAR region, characterised by its harsh climate and ice coverage although the ecosystems of this region are still rich. In spite of its low population density, human activities such as fishing and offshore petroleum production remain significant.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:OSPARRegionIArcticWaters
OSPARRegionIIGreaterNorthSeaThe Greater North Sea is one of the busiest maritime areas. Offshore activities related to the exploitation of oil and gas reserves, and maritime traffic are very important. Two of the world's largest ports are situated on the North Sea coast, and the coastal zone is used intensively for recreation.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:OSPARRegionIIGreaterNorthSea
OSPARRegionIIICelticSeasThe Celtic Seas region contains wide variations in coastal topography, from fjordic sea lochs, to sand dunes, bays, estuaries and numerous sandy beaches. The large range of habitats in the region supports a diverse fish fauna. Although traditional maritime activities, such as fishing, take place in the Celtic Seas, there is ongoing development of tourism.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:OSPARRegionIIICelticSeas
OSPARRegionIVBayOfBiscayAndIberianCoastThe bottom topography of Region IV and coastlines are highly diversified, including the continental shelf and slope and parts of the abyssal plain. Ecosystems in Region IV are very rich, support a rich fish fauna and have a particular importance for migratory birds. Main human activities in Region IV are fishing, maritime transport and tourism.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:OSPARRegionIVBayOfBiscayAndIberianCoast
OSPARRegionVWiderAtlanticRegion V represents the deep waters of the North-East Atlantic extending across the abyssal plain and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and including many seamounts. There have been recent discoveries of a number of different fragile deep-sea habitats (such as hydrothermal vents, carbonate mounds, coral gardens and sponge communities). Human population in the region is restricted to the Azores Archipelago. The main human activities are fishing and maritime transport.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:OSPARRegionVWiderAtlantic
OccurrenceTerms used to describe 'Occurrence' of species.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Occurrence
Occurrence Not specifiedSpecies which may be listed as alien or introduced but whose occurrence has not been specified.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Occurrence Not specified
OceanicOpen waters beyond the continental shelf.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Oceanic
Of concernSpecies that are demonstrating aggressive spread and there is concern about its spread OR species where some concern has been recorded- this may be due to known records of its invasiveness and impacts in other areas of their known introduced range.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Of concern
OffshoreSeabedSeabed beyond three miles (5 km) from the shore.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:OffshoreSeabed
Oligohaline0.5-<5 psu (included under MNCR Low, <18 psu)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Oligohaline
OmnivoreAn organism which feeds on a mixed diet including plant and animal material (from Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Omnivore
OntogeneticMigrationDifferent life stages migrate into different habitats, or part of habitat (e.g. copepods) (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:OntogeneticMigration
OogamousHaving large, non-motile eggs and small motile sperm (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Oogamous
OpenCoastAny part of the coast not within a marine inlet, strait or lagoon, including offshore rocks and small islands. This includes MNCR types; linear coast, islands / rocks and semi-enclosed coast.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:OpenCoast
OpenEndedVentilationOrganisms that live in a 'U' or 'Y' shaped burrow where water is drawn through the burrow (adapted from Kristensen et al., 2012).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:OpenEndedVentilation
OphiopluteusFree-swimming larvae of Ophiuroidea, distinguished by four pairs of arms supported by skeletal rods (Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Ophiopluteus
OralPodiaSpecialist - modified tube feet in holothurianshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:OralPodia
Organic(1) derived from, or showing the properties of a living organism; (2) containing carbon, applied to molecules.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Organic
OriginTerms used to describe the 'Origin' of species.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Origin
Origin uncertainSpecies whose biological status is uncertain i.e. it is uncertain if the species is native or alien to the location.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Origin uncertain
Origin unknownSpecies whose origins cannot be verified OR a species whose origin has not been specified in the source information.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Origin unknown
Otherhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Other
Other impact - undefined or uncertainWhere the species has a known but undefined or uncertain impact.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Other impact - undefined or uncertain
OtherSpeciesThe surface of other species, e.g. shells or carapace.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:OtherSpecies
Outcompetes native species for resources and/or spaceWhere the species dominates or outcompetes native species for resources and/or space.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Outcompetes native species for resources and/or space
OvalCylinderAn ellipsoid on an elliptic base (Olenina et al., 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:OvalCylinder
OverhangsAn overhanging part of a rock formation. Typically the surface of the rock below the overhang receives some cover or shade from the overhang.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Overhangs
OviparousEgg laying; producing eggs that are laid and hatch externally (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Oviparous
OviparousCareParents, guard or protect the eggs/clutch e.g. birds, some reptileshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:OviparousCare
OvoviviparousFully formed eggs are retained and hatched inside the maternal body and are released as live offspring (Lincoln et al., 1998). No nutrition is derived from the mother.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Ovoviviparous
PalpsSpecialist - Protobranch molluscshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Palps
PapillaeAppendages bear mucus laden papilae or tube feet (e.g. suspension feeding echinoderns, brittlestars, crinoids).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Papillae
ParallelepipedRhomboidIn geometry, a parallelepiped is a three-dimensional figure formed by six parallelograms (the term rhomboid is also sometimes used with this meaning)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ParallelepipedRhomboid
ParasiteAn organism that is intimately associated with, and metabolically dependent on, another organism (termed the host) for completion of its life cycle and which is detrimental to the host (see Lincoln et al., 1998)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Parasite
ParasiticFeedingAn organism that is intimately associated with, and metabolically dependant on another living organism, for completion of its life cycle, and which is detrimental to the host to a lesser or greater extent.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ParasiticFeeding
ParasitoidAn organism intermediate between a parasite and a predator; e.g. hymenopterans where the larvae feed within the tissue of a living host, leading to the death of the host (adapted from Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Parasitoid
ParenchymellaA poriferan larva composed of a ciliated ball of cells (blastula), with a brief swimming phase (Ruppert & Barnes, 1994).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Parenchymella
PassiveCatching food on a filter held into flowing water (e.g. hydroids, sea fans, sea pens), or collecting the 'rain' of detritus on sticky apparatus other than a filter (e.g. Cucumaria frondosa, proboscis of echinurans) (MarLIN; Hiscock et al. 1999).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Passive
PassiveDrifterMovement dependent on wind or water currentshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:PassiveDrifter
Pathogen/parasite or carrier of a pathogen/parasiteWhere the species is a pathogen/parasite of native species or carrier of a pathogen/parasite which infects/parasitizes native species.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Pathogen/parasite or carrier of a pathogen/parasite
Pathway/vector OtherIn cases where pathway/vector is not specified/ cases of novel pathways/vectors.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Pathway/vector Other
Pathway/vector UnknownUnknown mechanisms of introduction were represented by a blank cell.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Pathway/vector Unknown
Pathways/vectorOne of the most important types of information in the practical approach to prevention and management of biological invasions is the identity of the pathways of introduction and details of vectors. These are necessary for the prevention of introduction of potentially invasive species and also for the containment of further spread of established invasions. Information on pathways and vectors of introduction of alien species has been recorded for the listed species where information was available. Descriptive terms describing pathways and vectors were standardized and listed as a look-up table. These terms have been adapted from Hayes (2005).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Pathways/vector
Patteringseabirds/waderhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Pattering
Pebbles16-64 mm. May be rounded or flat. Substrata which are predominantly pebbles.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Pebbles
PediveligerA late veliger that is able to use its foot to crawl and provide temporary attachmenthttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Pediveliger
PelagicPertaining to the water column. Inhabiting the open sea, excluding the sea floor (rephrased from Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Pelagic
PelagosphaeraThe secondary free-swimming larva in Sipunculida, that develops from a non-feeding trochophore (Ruppert & Barnes, 1994).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Pelagosphaera
PenicillateBrush like (Prescott ,1969).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Penicillate
PermanentHermaphroditeCapable of producing both ova and spermatozoa either at the same time (Barnes et al., 1993).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:PermanentHermaphrodite
PhagocytosisEngulfing prey/food item in cytoplasmhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Phagocytosis
Phosphaticcomposed of phosphoric acid or phosphates.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Phosphatic
PhotoautotrophAn organism that obtains metabolic energy from light by a photochemical process such as photosynthesis (e.g. seaweeds, phytoplankton) (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Photoautotroph
PhotosyntheticPigmenthttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:PhotosyntheticPigment
PhysiographyCoastal geomorphology and physical features.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Physiography
Physiologyhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Physiology
PickingfromWaterSurfaceSeabirds/waderhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:PickingfromWaterSurface
PiercingToxicSpecialist - modified radula used to inject toxins, e.g. cone shellshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:PiercingToxic
PilidiumFree-swimming, helmet-shaped, larva of nemerteans (ribbon worms) with an apical tuft, apical sensory organs, oral lobes and oral ciliated band (see Stachowitsch, 1992, Rupert & Barnes, 1996).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Pilidium
PinnateBranching like a feather – an elongate main axis with lateral branches or lobes (Prescott, 1969).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Pinnate
PinnateBranchingBranched tentacles, used as filtration mechanismhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:PinnateBranching
PisciformFish-likehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Pisciform
PlanktonLiving in the fluid medium (water or air) but unable to maintain their position or distribution independently of the movement of the water/air mass (adapted from Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Plankton
PlanktonBiomassAndOrAbundanceCommon in OSPAR Regions II, III, IVhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:PlanktonBiomassAndOrAbundance
PlanktotrophicFeeding at least in part on materials captured from the plankton (Barnes et al., 1993).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Planktotrophic
Plant introductions: accidental with deliberate plant translocationsThis refers to invasive plant species which are unintentionally introduced into a new area/region carried on or with the habitat material of some intentionally planted flora.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Plant introductions: accidental with deliberate plant translocations
Plant introductions: deliberate translocation of plant speciesThis refers to plant species which are planted intentionally for some purpose resulting in the introduction of an invasive plant into a new area/region (e.g. for erosion control).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Plant introductions: deliberate translocation of plant species
PlanulaA ciliated, free swimming larva; lacks a mouth but in older stages may include a gastrovascular cavity (Stachowitsch, 1992)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Planula
PleustonicLiving permanently at the water surface due to their own buoyancy, normally positioned partly in the water and partly in the air.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Pleustonic
PlungeDivinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:PlungeDiving
PlungingSeabird specific?http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Plunging
PollinationTransfer of male gametophyte (pollen) to the 'female' part of a flowerhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Pollination
Polyhaline18-<30 psu (included under MNCR Reduced, 18-30 psu)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Polyhaline
PouncingAn ambush predator that uses a sudden, rapid movement to 'pounce on, grab or swallow' its prey once the prey in within short range.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Pouncing
PredatorPredatory behaviour in which one animal species captures a member of another species (Lincoln et al., 1998). OR mobile animals that attack kill and consume individual prey items, usually one at a time.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Predator
Present/controlledSpecies that are known to be present in their introduced range and are subject to some control option.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Present/controlled
Probingseabirds/waderhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Probing
ProportionOfLargeFishCommon in OSPAR Regions II, IIIhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ProportionOfLargeFish
ProtandrousA condition of hermaphroditism in plants and animals where male gametes mature and are shed before female gametes mature (Holmes, 1979).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Protandrous
ProtogynousA condition of hermaphroditism in plants and animals where female gametes mature and are shed before male gametes mature (Holmes 1979).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Protogynous
ProtonymphonLarval pycnogonid that bears three pairs of appendages, the chelicerae, palps and ovigerous legs (Ruppert & Barnes, 1996).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Protonymphon
ProtozoeaThird larval stage in Decapoda, characterized by antennal locomotion (see Stachowitsch, 1992)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Protozoea
ProvinceDescriptors of the major 'regions' of the seas.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Province
PseudoArrhenotokyMales develop from diploid fertilized eggs but subsequently eliminate or silence the paternal genomehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:PseudoArrhenotoky
PursuitDivinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:PursuitDiving
PursuitHunterCooperativeAn organism that hunts in a team, pack, pod, flock, swarm etchttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:PursuitHunterCooperative
PursuitHunterIndividualAn organism that chases after, catches and subdues mobile prey (e.g. predatory polychaetes, squid, fish, otter, seal, seabirds)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:PursuitHunterIndividual
PursuitPlunginghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:PursuitPlunging
QualitativeBodySizeBody size measured in terms of mega, macro, meio/meso and micro.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:QualitativeBodySize
QuantitativeBodySizeBody size measured in numerical values.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:QuantitativeBodySize
RadialSymmetrical about any plane passed perpendicular to the oral/aboral axis (Barnes et al., 1993).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Radial
RadulaeSpecialist - protrusile anterior region of digestive tract; refers to chitinized teeth along the radular membrane (Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Radulae
RareA species which is present at low or relatively low densities; used to describe single occurrences of the species where appropriate.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Rare
Rare to commonA species which is found in relatively low to moderate densities (accounts for non-discrete nature of abundance terms/parameters described here).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Rare to common
Rare to dominantA species which is fluctuates between relatively low to high densities (accounts for such phenomena as population explosions).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Rare to dominant
Raspingspecialist - rasping radulla of grazing molluscshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Rasping
RatariaA later larval stage in siphonophores, composed of a floating colony with a disc-shaped float, and an elongated body surrounded by the rim of the growing disc (Stachowitsch, 1992)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Rataria
Recorded in errorSpecies that have reported or recorded in error.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Recorded in error
RecoveryInThePopulationAbundanceOfSensitiveFishSpeciesCommon in OSPAR Region II, IIIhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:RecoveryInThePopulationAbundanceOfSensitiveFishSpecies
Recreational equipment: accidental with recreational equipmentWhere the movement of recreational equipment by humans results in the introduction of an invasive species into a new area/region.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Recreational equipment: accidental with recreational equipment
ReefBuildingAn organism that forms large areas of hard substratum for other organisms due to the scale of its aggregations (e.g. horse mussels), accretions (e.g. Sabellaria) or its skeleton (e.g. corals).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ReefBuilding
RegeneratorOrganisms that excavate and maintain burrows in the sediment, which result in sediment transport from depth to the surface (adapted from Kristensen et al., 2012.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Regenerator
ReportedSpecies that are 'reported' to be present but with no further information.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Reported
ReproductiveFrequencyhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ReproductiveFrequency
ReproductiveSeasonA description of the season(s) or months of the year during which reproduction occurshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ReproductiveSeason
ReproductiveTypeTraits that describe how an organism reproduces or the mechanism by which reproduction is achieved.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ReproductiveType
ReticulateIn the form of a mesh or net (Prescott, 1969).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Reticulate
RiaVoeDrowned river valleys of south-west Britain (ria) and Shetland (voe). Often with a greater presence of rock and more marine in character than estuaries.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:RiaVoe
RobustUnlikely to be damaged as a result of physical impacts, e.g. hard or tough enough to withstand impact, or leathery or wiry enough to resist impact.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Robust
Rockpools1) A pool of water among rocks left behind by the ebbing tide. 2) a depression in the littoral zone of a rocky seashore where, at low tide, seawater is left behind (Hiscock, 1996).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Rockpools
RotationalEllipsoidRotational ellipsoid (Olenina et al., 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:RotationalEllipsoid
SalinityThe range of salinities in which the organism is recorded (scale taken from Reusser & Lee, 2011)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Salinity
SaltmarshA flat, poorly drained coastal swamp inundated by most high tides (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Saltmarsh
Sand1) Particle size 0.063 -4 mm (Hiscock 1996) 2) >90% sand (Long, 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Sand
SandMuddySandSands and sands with mud where sand is the major fraction (see Long 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SandMuddySand
SandyGravel30 -80% gravel with sand (see Long, 2006).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SandyGravel
SandyMudMud (50-90%) with sandhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SandyMud
SaprophageAn organism that feeds on dead or decaying organic material (see Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Saprophage
ScavengerAn organism that feeds on carrion and organic refuse (e.g. crabs, whelks) (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Scavenger
Scientific research: accidental release with research activitiesWhere research activities result in the unintentional release of an invasive species into a new area/region.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Scientific research: accidental release with research activities
Scientific research: deliberate release with research activitiesWhere research activities result in the intentional release of an invasive species into a new area/region.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Scientific research: deliberate release with research activities
SeaIceThe habitat provided by the surface of frozen sea water floating on the surface. Sea ice may form thin sheets, fast moving pieces, pack ice or large icebergs.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SeaIce
SeaLochGlacially formed inlets (fjords, fjards) of western Scotland and Ireland; typically elongate and deepened by glacial action with little freshwater influence. Often with narrows and sills dividing the loch into a series of basins.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SeaLoch
SeagrassHabitat associated with seagrass bed communities.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Seagrass
SealAbundanceAndDistributionCommon in OSPAR Region IIhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SealAbundanceAndDistribution
Seaplanes: accidental as attached or free-living fouling organismsThis refers to invasive species which exist as sessile or motile organisms on the surface of a seaplane.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Seaplanes: accidental as attached or free-living fouling organisms
SearcherForagerActive foragers that seek out prey usually of lower mobility (than themselves) e.g. arthropods (crabs, spiders) gastropods, starfishhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SearcherForager
SeasonalEnvironmentA seasonal migration in order to remain within suitable environmental conditions.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SeasonalEnvironment
SeasonalFeedingA seasonal migration for the purpose of following food or moving to suitable feeding groundshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SeasonalFeeding
SeasonalReproductionA seasonal migration in order to reproduce.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SeasonalReproduction
SedimentReworkingDescription of how an organism modifies or changes the physico-chemical nature of the habitat itself, e.g sediment reworking, deposition of faeces, or burrowinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SedimentReworking
SedimentSoftParticulate solid matter accumulated by natural processes (Hiscock, 1996)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SedimentSoft
SedimentSurfacehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SedimentSurface
Seedshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Seeds
SeizingSeabird specific - probably not - large predators that pounce and grab alsohttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Seizing
SelfFertilizingCapable of self-fertilizationhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SelfFertilizing
SemelparousBreeding once per lifetime, or breeding only once then dying (Barnes et al., 2006). Organisms that only have one brood during their lifetime (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Semelparous
SemivoltineOne generation every two years (Barnes et al., 2006).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Semivoltine
SequentialHermaphroditeHermaphrodite in which the male and female organs mature (that is produce gametes) at different times in the reproductive cycle (adapted from Lincoln et al., 1998)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SequentialHermaphrodite
SessileNon-motile; permanently attached at the base (Lincoln et al., 1998) (e.g. Caryophyllia).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Sessile
SetoseAppendages (arms, specialisted mothparts) used to capture suspended particulateshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Setose
SexualReproduction1) Reproduction involving the regular alternation of gamete formation by meiosis, and gamete fusion (karyogamy) to form a zygote (Lincoln et al.,1998). 2) Reproduction where recombination of genetic material, derived from more than one parent is possible (Barnes et al. 2006), true amphimixis involves random segregation of genes and random association of parental contribution (gametes).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SexualReproduction
ShallowPlunginghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ShallowPlunging
ShelteredCoasts with a restricted fetch and/or open water window. Coasts can face prevailing winds but with a short fetch (< 20 km) or extensive shallow area offshore, or may face away from prevailing winds.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Sheltered
Ships: accidental as attached or free-living fouling organismsThis refers to invasive species which exist as sessile or motile organisms on the hull of a ship.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Ships: accidental as attached or free-living fouling organisms
Ships: accidental associated with cargoThis refers to invasive species which are associated with internal ship cargo.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Ships: accidental associated with cargo
Ships: accidental with ballast water, sea water systems, live wells or other deck basinsThis refers to invasive species which exist in various life stages in ballast of a fluid nature.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Ships: accidental with ballast water, sea water systems, live wells or other deck basins
Ships: accidental with solid ballastThis refers to invasive species which exist in various life stages in ballast of a solid nature.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Ships: accidental with solid ballast
Ships: generalThis accounts for an invasive species which has been vectored by a ship but the exact mechanism of action (ie: ballast, hull or cargo) has been unidentified in the literature.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Ships: general
ShrubHaving a very short stem with branches near the ground (Thompson, 1995).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Shrub
Siliceouscomposed of silicon based spines, spicules or lattice, e.g. siliceous or glass spongeshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Siliceous
SimpleAxialProboscisA sac-like proboscis relying on fluid pressure from the coelom for eversion. There is no particular development of musculature or glands. The worms tend to have reduced septa in the anterior part of the body allowing the contruction of the posterior part of the body to exert considerable force on the proboscis because of the free movement of the coelomic contents. Muscles associated with a thickened first septum (gular membrane) and the proboscis are used for retraction.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SimpleAxialProboscis
SizeCompositionInFishCommunitiesCommon in OSPAR Regions II, III, IVhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SizeCompositionInFishCommunities
Skimmingseabirds/waderhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Skimming
SmallBoulders256 -512 mm; may be unstable.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SmallBoulders
SmallTribePridePackPodSmall group of individuals that work together for mutual benefit, often held together by familial (matriarchal/patriarchal) bonds (e.g. a pack or wolves, a pod of dolphin, a pride of lions, a tribe of humans).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SmallTribePridePackPod
Snatchinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Snatching
SociabilityTraits that describe an organism's behavioural interactions with members of the same species.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Sociability
SocialGroupCooperative groups of the same species - e.g. social insects, mammalshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SocialGroup
Solidmassive structure, e.i. not consisting of loose agglutinated particles.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Solid
SolitaryLiving alone, not gregarious (Thompson 1995).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Solitary
Sometimes presentSpecies that are reported as present but only 'sometimes'.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Sometimes present
Source country and/or sea areaCountry or sea area which is the known source area of the introduced species or population. The source area could be the native range of the species or a known introduced range.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Source country and/or sea area
SpecialisedStageA specialised dormancy or diapause stage in the life cycle of the organismhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SpecialisedStage
Species Importance To Societyhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Species Importance To Society
SpermcastMale gametes are spawned and fertilize eggs within or attached to parenthttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Spermcast
SphereA sphere or globehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Sphere
SplashZoneRegion of the shore immediately above the highest levels of the water that is subject to wetting by splash from breaking waves (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SplashZone
Sponginouscomposed of spongin, fibrous protein component of the horny sponges (derived from Lawrence, 2005).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Sponginous
SporogenesisReproduction via sporeshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Sporogenesis
SprayZoneRegion of the shore immediately above the splash zone that is subject to wetting by the spray from breaking waves (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SprayZone
StacksStacks of indivudal cells/frustules (e.g. in diatoms), like a pack of cards.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Stacks
StandardLength1) The measurement from the most anterior tip of the body to the midlateral posterior edge of the hypural plate (in fish with a hypural plate) or to the posterior end of the vertebral column (in fish lacking hypural plates). It may be restricted to the tip of the snout if the lower jaw projects. The base of the caudal fin (end of the vertebral column or posterior edge of the hypural plate) is determined by flexing the tail up while the caudal peduncle is held down. The resultant wrinkle or caudal flexure indicates the caudal base. It may also be determined by probing or dissection. Sometimes the posteriormost point is the last scale, the last pored scale or the beginning of the caudal fin rays. It is the usual scientific measurement for length of a fish except in Myxini, Petromyzontiformes, Elasmobranchii and Holocephali. This measurement is used because long-preserved fish often lose the tips of the caudal fin rays through breakage after the desiccation effect of alcohol. See total length and fork length. In Holocephali the length is usually taken from the tip of the snout to the origin of the upper caudal fin because the caudal filament breaks off frequently. In Scaridae it is taken back to the rear margin of the second to last lateral line scale, because the large scales obscure the point of caudal flexure. In small dead fish, the end point is detected by bending the caudal fin to one side. In fishery work, as a result of the use of the measuring board, standard-, fork- and total length are taken from the most anterior part of the head. Abbreviated as SL. (FishBase)

2) Standard length (SL) refers to the length of a fish measured from the tip of the snout to the posterior end of the last vertebra or to the posterior end of the midlateral portion of the hypural plate. Simply put, this measurement excludes the length of the caudal fin. (Wikipedia)

Standard length measurements are used with Teleostei (most bony fish), while total length measurements are used with Myxini (hagfish), Petromyzontiformes (lampreys), and (usually) Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays), as well as some other fishes. (Wikipedia)

3) Standard length (SL) can be specified as: a) Maximum length: Size (in cm) of the largest male/unsexed or female specimen ever caught. (FishBase); b) Common length: Size (in cm) at which male/unsexed or female specimen(s) are commonly caught or marketed. (FishBase).
http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:StandardLength
StellateArranged like a star.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Stellate
StickyMucusTentacles used to collect particluate food (e.g. polychaete deposit feeders)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:StickyMucus
StingingTentacles that bear stinging cells to catch, subdue prey (e.g. Cnidaria)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Stinging
StraitSoundChannels between the mainland and an island or between two islands which are open at both ends to the open coast (it does not refer to similar features or narrows within marine inlets).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:StraitSound
StrandlineA line on the shore composing debris deposited by a receding tide; commonly used to denote the line of debris at the level of extreme high water (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Strandline
StraplikeIn the form of a strap or ribbon.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Straplike
Strong3 to 6 knots (1.5-3 m/sec.)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Strong
StunAttackAn organism that uses pulses of electricity or sound to stun prey (e.g. pistol shrimp)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:StunAttack
Sublittoral1) The zone exposed to air only at its upper limit by the lowest spring tides, although almost continuous wave action on extremely exposed coasts may extend the upper limit high into the intertidal region. The sublittoral extends from the upper limit of the large kelps and includes, for practical purposes in nearshore areas, all depths below the littoral. Various sub-zones are recognized (based on Hiscock, 1985). 2) The marine zone extending from the lowest limit of the intertidal to the outer edge of the continental slope (rephrased from Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Sublittoral
SublittoralFringeThe upper part of the sublittoral zone which is uncovered by the tide. On hard substrata, the zone is characterized by the kelps Laminaria digitata and Alaria esculenta. The lower limit of this zone is marked by the upper limit of the truly sublittoral kelp Laminaria hyperborea (based on Lewis, 1964; Hiscock, 1996).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SublittoralFringe
SubstratumAn organism that provide substratum for specific other organisms, rarely found on other organisms, a ubiquitous relationship.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Substratum
SubstratumHabitatDescription of the substratum on or in which an organism is found or recorded.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SubstratumHabitat
SubsurfaceDepositFeederAn organism that feeds on fragmented particulate organic matter within the substratum (e.g. Echinocardium cordatum) (adapted from Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SubsurfaceDepositFeeder
SubsurfaceSeizinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SubsurfaceSeizing
SuctorialAppendages that bear suckers on muscular arms to hold and subdue prey (e.g cephalopods)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Suctorial
SupportAn organism that provides 'support' for other organisms, either as a host for a symbiote or parasite, or as substratum for epibiota.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Support
SupportingStructuresEnclosuresHard framework, internal or external, which supports and protects softer parts of plant, animal or unicellular organism, and to which muscles usually attach in animals, includes skeletons (derived from Lawrence, 2005).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SupportingStructuresEnclosures
Supralittoral1) The lower terrestrial zone, characteristically dominated by orange and white-to-grey lichens on hard substrata with scattered salt-tolerant higher plants and mosses (Hiscock, 1996). 2) The region of the shore directly above the highest water level and subject to wetting by spray or wave splash (Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Supralittoral
SurfaceDabblinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SurfaceDabbling
SurfaceDepositFeederAn organism that feeds on fragmented particulate organic matter on the surface of the substratum (e.g. Corophium volutator) (adapted from Lincoln et al., 1998).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SurfaceDepositFeeder
SurfaceDippinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SurfaceDipping
SurfaceDivinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SurfaceDiving
SurfacePlunginghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SurfacePlunging
SurfaceSeizinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SurfaceSeizing
SuspensionFeederOrganisms that strain food from the surrounding water. They can range in complexity from sponges and corals to baleen whales. They live on organisms or debris that drifts past them, or they seek out small floating or swimming organisms (Charton, 2001).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SuspensionFeeder
SwimmerAn organism that moves through the water column via movements of its cilia, flagella, fins, legs or appendages, via undulatory movements of the body or via jet propulsion (e.g. Gadus, Loligo).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Swimmer
SwimmingSeabirds/waderhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Swimming
SymbiontContributionWhere some dietary component(s) are provided by symbiotic organisms (e.g. Anemonia with zooxanthellae).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:SymbiontContribution
SymbioticAn association between two organisms. The term may bused to describe all associations between organisms of the same or different species. It is usually reserved for associations that are mutually beneficial (adapted from Lincoln et al., 1998)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Symbiotic
TadpoleHaving the body form of a tadpole i.e. consisting of a round head with a tail.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Tadpole
Talonse.g. birdshttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Talons
TaxonSpecificBodySizeThe measure of body size specific to a taxonomic group.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:TaxonSpecificBodySize
TaxonSpecificBodySizeFishFish measurement is the measuring of the length of individual fish and of various parts of their anatomy. These data are used in many areas of ichthyology, including taxonomy and fisheries biology. (Wikipedia)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:TaxonSpecificBodySizeFish
TaxonSpecificBodySizeMacroAlgaehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:TaxonSpecificBodySizeMacroAlgae
TempRangeMin/Max Valuehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:TempRange
TemporaryAttachmentAn organism that can temporarily attach to a substratum but is able to release its attachment, and move across (or through) it (i.e. sedentary) (e.g. Actinia).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:TemporaryAttachment
TentaclesA slender, flexible limb or appendage in an animal, especially around the mouth of an invertebrate, used for grasping or moving about, or bearing sense organs (OED).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Tentacles
Terrestrialhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Terrestrial
TerritorialIndependent but maintains a defined territoryhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Territorial
TidalStrengthThe horizontal movement of water associated with the meteorological, oceanographical and topographical factors. High water flow rates result in areas where water is forced through or over restrictions for example narrows or around protruding offshore rocks. Tidal streams are associated with the rise and fall of the tide where as currents are defined as residual flow after the tidal element is removed (Hiscock, 1996).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:TidalStrength
ToleranceBased on AMBIhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Tolerance
TotalLength1) The greatest length of the whole body between the most anterior point of the body and the most posterior point, in a straight line, not over the curve of the body. Sometimes, when there are two equal lobes, the caudal rays are squeezed together and their tip is taken as the most posterior point (excluding the caudal filaments), or the longest lobe is squeezed to the midline (maximum length or extreme tip length). Also an imaginary line may be drawn between the two lobe tips and length to its mid-point taken as the most posterior point (total auxiliary length or bilobular length). Usually the tip of the most posterior lobe of the fin in normal position is taken as the posteriormost point (total normal length or natural tip length). Total length is used by taxonomists in Myxini, Petromyzontiformes, usually in Elasmobranchii and sometimes in other fishes. Standard length is usually employed with Teleostei. Abbreviated TL. (FishBase)


2) Total length (TL) refers to the length of a fish measured from the tip of the snout to the tip of the longer lobe of the caudal fin, usually measured with the lobes compressed along the midline. It is a straight-line measure, not measured over the curve of the body. (Wikipedia)

Total length measurements are used in slot limit and minimum landing size regulations. (Wikipedia)

3) Total length (TL) can be specified as:
  • Maximum length: Size (in cm) of the largest male/unsexed or female specimen ever caught. (FishBase)
  • Common length: Size (in cm) at which male/unsexed or female specimen(s) are commonly caught or marketed. (FishBase)
http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:TotalLength
Trapezoida convex quadrilateral with at least one pair of parallel sides is referred to as a trapezoid in American and Canadian English but as a trapezium in Englishhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Trapezoid
TrapsAn organism that uses traps such as sticky threads or webbing (e.g. spiders)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Traps
TrendsInNewRecordsOfNonIndigenousSpeciesIntroducedByHumanActivitiesCommon in OSPAR Regions II, III, IVhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:TrendsInNewRecordsOfNonIndigenousSpeciesIntroducedByHumanActivities
TruncatedConeCone with flattended top (Olenina et al., 2006)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:TruncatedCone
TubicolousAn organism that lives in a tube of its own construction (e.g. mucus, bound sand grains, Calcium carbonate etc).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Tubicolous
TurbinateWhorled (Brusca, 1980).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Turbinate
TurfThe lowest stratum of erect branching or filiform species.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Turf
TypeISpecies very sensitive to organic enrichment and present under unpolluted conditions (initial state). They include the specialist carnivores and some deposit-feeding tubicolous polychaetes.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:TypeI
TypeIISpecies indifferent to enrichment, always present in low densities with non-significant variations with time (from initial state, to slight unbalance). These include suspension feeders, less selective carnivores and scavengers.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:TypeII
TypeIIISpecies tolerant to excess organic matter enrichment. These species may occur under normal conditions, but their populations are stimulated by organic richment (slight unbalance situations). They are surface deposit-feeding species, as tubicolous spionids.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:TypeIII
TypeIVSecond-order opportunistic species (slight to pronounced unbalanced situations). Mainly small sized polychaetes: subsurface deposit-feeders, such as cirratulids.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:TypeIV
TypeVFirst-order opportunistic species (pronounced unbalanced situations). These are deposit- feeders, which proliferate in reduced sediments.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:TypeV
TypicalSpeciesCompositionCommon in OSPAR Region IVhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:TypicalSpeciesComposition
UltraShelteredFully enclosed coasts with a fetch measured in tens or at most a few hundred metres.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:UltraSheltered
Under10http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Under10
UnderBouldersHabitat associated with the underside of boulders.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:UnderBoulders
UnderIceThe habitat formed by the underside of ice sheets at the interface of frozen ice and fluid seawater.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:UnderIce
UnderwaterSeizinghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:UnderwaterSeizing
UnderwaterSwimminghttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:UnderwaterSwimming
UnitaryOrganisms that grow by a determinate pathway of development of a tightly canalized adult form, e.g. all arthropods and vertebrates (from Begon et al., 2005).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Unitary
UnivoltineOne generation per year / annuals (Barnes et al., 2006).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Univoltine
UpperCircalittoralDominated by animals with sparse foliose algae except where grazed. The part of the circalittoral subzone on hard substrata distinguished by the presence of scattered foliose algae amongst the dominating animals; its lower limit is the maximum limit of depth for foliose algae (based on Hiscock, 1985).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:UpperCircalittoral
UpperEulittoralBarnacles and limpets present in quantity with Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum although often this belt has only sparse algal cover compared with the lower eulittoral (Hiscock, 1996).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:UpperEulittoral
UpperInfralittoralThe part of the infralittoral subzone which, on hard substrata, is dominated by Laminariales forming a dense canopy, or kelp forest (based on Hiscock, 1985).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:UpperInfralittoral
UpperLittoralFringeTop of the littoral fringe, characterized by Verrucaria maura with Littorina saxatilis and Littorina neritoides often present. May include saltmarsh species on shale/pebbles in shelter (Hiscock, 1996).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:UpperLittoralFringe
UpwardsConveyorOrganisms that live vertically in the sediment, typically head-down at depth in the sediment, and that transport particles from depth to the sediment surface (adapted from Kristensen et al., 2012).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:UpwardsConveyor
Variablemixed and variable materialhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Variable
VegetationAttached or stuck to vegetation, e.g. opistobranchs, mermaid purses, cephalopod eggs etc.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Vegetation
VegetativeAsexual reproduction via somatic growth processes, fragmentation, fission, or budding (adapted from Lincoln et al., 1998)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Vegetative
VeligerA free-swimming molluscan larva, characterized by lobed extensions of the peroral trochus (velum), larval shell and rudimentary foot (Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Veliger
VentralBuccalOrganvariable set of folds, musculature and glands, present on the ventral side of many polychaetes, is usually referred to as a ventral proboscis and is the most common form in Polychaetes. The ventral proboscis may be a simple eversible muscular pad, the outer end of these pharynges may be frilled and densely ciliated. Other species have the lateral walls of the proboscis folded and broadly connected ventrally to a deep buccal organ, others have a ventral proboscis also present.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:VentralBuccalOrgan
VentralMuscularProboscisThe ventral and lateral walls of the buccal region are muscular and the lining is sclerotized into a varying number of eversible jaw pieces. The jaws are separated into a pair of ventral mandibles and two or more pairs of lateral maxillae.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:VentralMuscularProboscis
VermiformWorm-likehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Vermiform
VermiformAnnulatedWorm like but lacking true segments although annuli may be present, e.g. roundworms (Nematoda) and ribbon worms (Nemertea).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:VermiformAnnulated
VermiformSegmentedWorm-like with the body divided into semi-independent, serially repeated units (Barnes et al., 1993) e.g. Annelida.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:VermiformSegmented
VermiformUnsegmentedWorm-like where the external surface is divided into a chain of rings or 'annuli' by furrows giving the appearance of segments (Barnes et al., 1993).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:VermiformUnsegmented
VerticalBiologicalZoneA description of the vertical biological zone or zonation in which an organism resides. The zone is determined by depth, physical, chemical and biological factors.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:VerticalBiologicalZone
VeryExposed1) Open coasts which face into prevailing winds and which receive wind-driven waves and oceanic swell without any offshore obstructions for several hundred kilometres, but where deep water is not close to the shore (50 m depth contour further than about 300 m). 2) Open coasts adjacent to extremely exposed sites but which face away from prevailing winds.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:VeryExposed
VeryShelteredCoasts with a fetch less than about 3 km where they face prevailing winds or about 20 km where they face away from prevailing winds, or which have offshore obstructions such as reefs or a narrow (<30°) open water window.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:VerySheltered
VeryStrong>6 knots (>3 m/sec)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:VeryStrong
VeryWeakNegligiblehttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:VeryWeak
Viviparous1) Producing live offspring from within the body of the parent (Lincoln et al., 1998). 2) Development of an embryo within the body of the parent, in part, resources passing directly from parent to embryo (Barnes et al., 2006).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Viviparous
ViviparousCareOffspring are nurtured and protected by the adulthttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:ViviparousCare
VulnerableA taxon is Vulnerable when the best available evidence indicates that it meets any of the criteria A to E for Vulnerable (see Section V), and it is therefore considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Vulnerable
WadinginShallowWaterhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:WadinginShallowWater
Water abstraction or nuisance foulingWhere the species alters water levels or causes nuisance fouling on boats/water structures.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Water abstraction or nuisance fouling
WaveExposedDefined via traits - but included as some authors do not specify level of wave exposure.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:WaveExposed
WaveExposureTraits that describe the range of exposure to wave action in which the organism is recorded.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:WaveExposure
WaveShelteredDefined via traits below - included as some authors do not specifyhttp://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:WaveSheltered
Weak<1 knot (<0.5 m/sec)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Weak
WhiplikeIn the form of a whip.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Whiplike
WidthA measurement or extent of something from side to side; the lesser of two or the least of three dimensions of a body (OED) Note: For width you can specify the measurement type (minimum, maximum, average), gender (male, female) and life stage.http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Width
WidthOfDiscThe greatest distance between the lateral tips of the pectoral fins in Rajiformes. (FishBase)http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:WidthOfDisc
WingspanIn birds (Aves) - "the distance between the wing tips when the wings are held outstretched" (Wikipedia) or "wingtip to wingtip in flight" (BTO).

In winged insects (Insecta) - "may refer to the distance between the centre of the thorax to the apex of the wing doubled or to the width between the apices with the wings set with the trailing wing edge perpendicular to the body" (Wikipedia)

Note: For wingspan you can specify the measurement type (minimum, maximum, average), gender (male, female) and life stage.
http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Wingspan
ZoeaFourth free-swimming larval stage of Decapoda, with thoracic appendages for locomotion (see Stachowitsch, 1992).http://www.marinespecies.org/traits/wiki/Traits:Zoea

RDF