Bioaccumulation:  the gradual concentration of chemicals in a biological organism’s body over time

Ephermal:  short-lived

Epiphyte:  any plant that grows upon another plant or object for physical support

Epizoan:  an external parasitic organism

Euryhaline:  organisms that can adapt to a wide range of salinity levels

Sessile:  fixed in one location or immobile

Sexually Dimorphic:  male and female sexes differ morphologically and can be distinguished by their physical features

Sexually Monomorphic:  male and female sexes are morphologically similar and can only be distinguished by their genitalia

Spermatophore:  a protein capsule containing a mass of spermatozoa

Pantropical:  distribution throughout the tropic regions of both hemispheres

Photic Zone:  the uppermost layer of a body of water; enough light penetrates the water in this zone to allow for photosynthesis

Fecundity:  the ability to produce high quantites of offspring (often associated with r-selected species)