Glossary M
Ma
An abbrevation for \\\"million (years] ago.
Macro-
A prefix meaning \\\"very large\\\" or \\\"on a very large scale\\\".
Macroevolution
Large-scale evolutionary change.
Macrofossil
A fossil that is large enough to be studied directly, without the aid of a microscope.
Marcroscopic
1. Visible to the naked eye; not requiring the aid of a microscope. 2. Involving a large scale or a large area of study.
Malocclusion
A condition in which the teeth do not close or align properly in a bite.
Mammilla [plural] Mammillea
A nipple or nipplelike structure.
Mandible
1. The bone or bones forming the lower jaw in vertebrates. 2. The lower bill in birds. All the bones of the lower jaw, collectively
Mandibular
Located in or relating to the mandible or jaw.
Mandibular fenestra
Lower jaw fenestration
Manus [plural] Manus
Hand n. the forefoot or hand
Marine
Relating to or living in the ocean.
Mass extinction
The death of every member of a number of diverse animal groups due to global ecological circumstances that suggest a common or related cause. Also, Faunal extinction.
Matrix [plural] Matrices
The rock or other unified natural material in which a fossil, crystal, or other element is embedded.
Maxilla [plural] Maxillae
The bone or bones forming the upper jaw, often bearing teeth.
Maxillary
Located in or relating to the maxilla or jaw.
Maxillary bone
One of the upper jaw bones
Medial
From the inside of inner (opposite of lateral)
Median
Middle
Medioportal
Describing a land animal that is characterized as moving at a moderate rate, intermediate between graviportal (slow-moving] and curosial (running] types. Compare curosial
Megafauna
1. Larger forms of animal life, or the largest forms whitin a given community.
2. Specifically, animal life that is visible to the naked eye as opposed to being visible only through a microscope.
Megaflora
1. Large, or reatively large, plant life. 2. Specifically, plant life that is visible to the naked eye.
Megatracksite
A term for a site in which many different dinosaur tracks are present.
Megavertebrate
A very large form of vertebrate life; e.g.,modern elephants and whales, certain dinosaurs.
Mesozoic
\\\"Middle Life\\\" incorporates the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods
Metabolism / Metabolic
The sum of physical and chemical processes by which a living organism maintains life. Thus, Metabolic
Metacarpal
1. Located in or relating to the metacarpus (hand) 2. One of the bones of the metacarpus; usually there is one metacarpal for each digit.
Metacarpus
The portion of the hand (or an anologous structure) between the wrist and the fingers.
Metatarsal
1. Located in or relating to the metatarsus. 2. One of the bones of the metatarsus; usually there is one metatarsal for each digit.
Metatarsals
The bones of the pes closest to the ankle
Metatarsus
The area of the foot (or hindfoot) between the instep and the toes.
Meteorite
An extraterrestrial rock that has fallen to Earth. Most meteorites are pieces of asteroids and are of stony, stony-iron, or iron composition.
Meteoroid
A small solid body moving through interplanetary space; after falling to Earth it is called a meteorite.
Micro-
A prefix meaning \\\"very small\\\" or \\\"on a small scale\\\".
Microevolution
The process of evolution within populations of organisms, such as changes in gene frequency or chronosome number.
Microfauna
1. Very small forms of animal life, or the smallest forms within a given community. 2. Specifically, animal life that is not visible to the naked eye and can only be seen through a microscope.
Microflora
1. Very small forms of plant life. 2. Specifically, plant life that is not visible to the naked eye and can only be seen through a microscope.
Microfossil
A fossil whose typical form is microscopic in size.
Microplate
A relative small plate (rigid unit ot he earth\\\'s crust).
Microsite
1. A very precise and specific location. 2. An assemblage of microscopis fossils.
Microstratigraphy
The study of the stratigraphy (arrangement of layers of rock) of a very precise area.
Microvertebrate
A very small or relatively small vertebrate, especially one that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Migration
1. Any movement of an animal from one location to another relatively distant location. 2. Specifically, a behavior pattern (migratory behaviour) involving the regular or recurring movement from one location to another by a group of animals of a given species, as a response to changes in temperature, weather, or food availibility, or other environmental conditions; characteristic of various modern species, e.g., caribou, and possibly of some large dinosaurs.
Migratory
Relating to or characterized by migration.
Migratory behavior
See Migration
Mineralization
1. The fact or process of organic (animal or plant) material being transformed to inorganic (mineral) material. 2. The process in which the mineral constituent, of bone (e.g., calium phosphate) is formed from other softer tissue.
Mineralogy
The scientific study of the physical and chemical proprties of minerals.
Modern
Living at the present time, or during recent historic time; extant.
Modification
Change, especially change in the form or appearance of an organism.
Mollusk or Mollusc
A member of the Mollusca, bilaterally symmetrical invertebrates, including clam, snails, octopuses, squid, and others; soft-bodied organisms, typically with a calcium carbonate shell.
Monophyletic / Monophyly
Describing a group of organisms sharing a single common ancestor and including all the descendants of this common ancestor. Thus, Monophyly.
Monospecific
Occurring in or forming a single species.
Morph
1. The form or structure of a given organism or species.
2. See Morphotype
Morphogenesis / Morphogenetic
The development of the form and structure of an organism during the life span of that individual. Thus, Morphogenetic.
Morphological
Relating to or based on the study of morphology (the form of an organism).
Morphology
1. The scientific study ot the form and structure of organisms, especially their external form.
2. The form and structure of a given organism, considered as a whole.
Morphometrics
The scientific measurement or analysis of the shape or form of organisms.
Morphotype
One example of the differentiation in form or structure of a population that exhibits such differences. Also, Morph
Mummy / Mummified / Mummification
The natural preservation of an ancient animal specimen so as to include not only material that would ordinarily survive over time (e.g., bone), but also tissue that would ordinarily have disappeared (e.g., skin), this given the specimen a somewhat lifelike appearance. Thus, Mummified, Mummification.
Musculature
The characteristic arrangement or system of muscles of a given organism.
Muzzle
The front part of the head around the jaws and nostrils
MY, MYA, MYR
An abbreviation for \\\"million years (ago).\\\"
Mybp
An abbreviation for \\\"million years before present.\\\"