Sealife guideThe sea life glossaryOur glossaries

Last updated on 09/03/2025 at 11:27 PM
English
Description
French
M
Français
mantle
Définition
A layer of tissue in mollusks that secretes the shell and may form a cavity for respiration and excretion.
Anglais
manteau
Français
mesoderm
Définition
The middle layer of cells in an embryo, which gives rise to muscles, bones and the circulatory system.
Anglais
mésoderme
Français
mesoglea
Définition
The jelly-like, non-cellular middle layer of a sponge, located between the outer and inner cell layers.
Anglais
mésogelée
Français
metaphyte
Définition
A simple, primarily plant-like organism, often referring to algae or other non-vascular plants.
Anglais
métaphyte
Français
metazoan
Définition
A multicellular animal with differentiated tissues and organs.
Anglais
métazoaire
Français
Micronesia
Définition
A region of Oceania made up of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean, including the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands.
Anglais
Micronésie (région)
Français
Micronesia
Définition
A country in the western Pacific ocean, officially called the Federated States of Micronesia, composed of over 600 small islands.
Anglais
Micronésie (pays) ou Etats Fédérés de Micronésie
Français
mysticetes
Définition
Baleen whales: large whales that filter-feed using baleen plates instead of teeth.
Anglais
mysticètes
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Our latestUpdates

The bump-head sunfish
Friday, September 5th 2025
The bump-head sunfish
Learn about the bump-head sunfish (Mola alexandrini), the world's heaviest bony fish, its habitat in tropical and temperate oceans, diet of jellyfish, deep-water behavior and record size over 6,000 lbs.
The chocolate chip sea cucumber
Wednesday, September 3rd 2025
The chocolate chip sea cucumber
The chocolate chip sea cucumber has a massive cylindrical body that is beige in color, covered with a set of dark brown pustules resembling chocolate chips that protrude slightly from the surface, giving it a resemblance to a cookie, hence its french name. It can reach a length of about 12 inches when fully grown.
The red hind grouper
Monday, September 1st 2025
The red hind grouper
The red hind grouper has a distinctive appearance, usually beige to brown in color, with numerous red or brown spots covering its entire body and the base of its fins. It is often found in the shallow waters of coral reefs and rocky areas, where it hides in crevices and cavities.
Photo of the Day
Sabelle sociale (Bispira brunnea)
Sabelle sociale
(Bispira brunnea)