Back to Unit II index Unit Two- GLOSSARY arachnophobia- a fear of spiders. carnivorous- meat-eating. ecological niche- the interactive role of a species in its community including activities, relationships and environmental factors. endemic- confined to a particular place and occurring nowhere else. exoskeleton- a hard external covering that protects an animal and provides points of attachment for muscles. exotic- not native, introduced from another habitat or place. forage- to search for food. generalist- an animal that uses a broad array of resources. herbivore- an organism that eats only plants. hypothesis- an educated guess that serves as a temporary explanation of an observed phenomena. invertebrate- an animal that lacks a backbone. larva (plural, larvae)- the immature, wingless feeding stage of an insect that is structurally different than the adult and undergoes complete metamorphosis. metabolism- all the chemical reactions that take place in a living organism. microhabitat- an extremely localized, small-scale environment. microorganism- any organism too small to be seen by the unaided eye. native- originating in a particular habitat. natural history- the study of all objects in nature. nocturnal- active at night. parasites- organisms that live on or in an organism of a different species and gets nutrients from its body. pheromones- a chemical released by an animal that influences the behavior of other members of the same species. predatory- preying on other organisms for food. pupate- to become an insect in the non-feeding stage of metamorphosis. regurgitate- to vomit. social insects- insects of the same species that live together including non-reproductive adults. specialist- an animal that requires a very specific resource. terrestrial- growing or living on land. territorial- defending an area against intruders, especially those of the same species. vestigial- a structure , function, or behavior pattern which has diminished during the course of evolution, leaving only a trace.