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

Friday, November 7th 2025
The common sea fan
The common sea fan, is a type of soft coral found in the warm, shallow waters of the Caribbean and the western Atlantic ocean. It grows in wide, fan-shaped forms that sway gently with the ocean currents, helping it catch tiny food particles drifting by. Its beautiful purple branches are covered by a thin living tissue that hosts tiny algae, which provide much of the coral's energy through sunlight.

Thursday, October 30th 2025
The leopard blenny
The leopard blenny is a small reef fish from the Indo-Pacific ocean. It is easily recognized by its spotted coloration, which resembles that of a leopard. It lives on shallow coral reefs, feeds mainly on algae and polyps and skillfully camouflages among the corals to avoid predators.

Monday, October 27th 2025
The Spanish slipper lobster
The Spanish slipper lobster is a colorful crustacean found around reefs in the tropical waters of the northwestern Atlantic. Its flattened body and distinctive antennae allow it to hide in crevices during the day and emerge at night to feed on benthic invertebrates.
Photo of the Day

Poisson crapaud splendide
(Sanopus splendidus)
(Sanopus splendidus)
