Ecological terms like mesopredator and mesocarnivore have distinct meanings, the former denoting trophic rank, the latter diet composition. Yet these terms are frequently conflated, leading to conceptual ambiguity. We argue for returning to original definitions and advocate for context-sensitive, precise language to improve clarity and accuracy in scientific communication about fundamental ecological characteristics of species.
Ecological terms like mesopredator and mesocarnivore have distinct meanings, the former denoting trophic rank, the latter diet composition. Yet these terms are frequently conflated, leading to conceptual ambiguity. We argue for returning to original definitions and advocate for context-sensitive, precise language to improve clarity and accuracy in scientific communication about fundamental ecological characteristics of species.
