This glossary explains biological, botanical, zoological and mycological terms, as well as terms used in cecidology. It is intended to make the numerous technical terms used in the photo gallery and on the information pages of this website easier to understand.
All | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
Taxon
In biology, a taxon (plural: taxa) is a group of organisms recognised as a systematic unit.
Taxonomy
A taxonomy or classification scheme is a consistent method or model for classifying objects within a particular field according to defined criteria, assigning them to particular categories or classes (taxa; see taxon).
Teleomorph
In mycology, the teleomorph is the sexual stage of a fungus with a pleomorphic life cycle, in which meiospores are produced. By contrast, an anamorph is an asexual stage that produces only mitospores (conidia).
Telium
A telium is a type of spore-bearing structure occurring in the main fruiting stage of rust fungi (Pucciniales).
Terminology
Terminology is the complete set of specialist terms (termini) used in a particular field. It forms part of the technical language of that field.
Terrestrial
Living in or on the soil.
Thermophilic
A preference for higher temperatures.
Trama
Trama is the fleshy plectenchymatous tissue of a fungus lying between the surfaces, comprising the cap and stipe but not the mycelium. A distinction is sometimes made between stipe trama and cap trama. In a narrower sense, the term refers only to the sterile hyphal tissue of polypores and agarics, excluding the surface tissue.
Trophobiosis
Trophobiosis is an interaction between an organism that provides food and another organism that consumes it in return for a benefit such as protection. The food is often a bodily secretion or similar substance. A well-known example is the mutualistic relationship between ants (Formicidae) and aphids (Aphidina), in which aphids provide honeydew and receive protection from the ants.
TOP