Espines

Espines is the Spanish term for spines, used in biology to describe rigid, pointed projections on organisms or plant structures. The word appears in Spanish-language scientific literature and field guides, and it often serves as a general translation of the English term “spines.” The concept covers a range of forms and functions across taxa.

In botany, espines denote sharp projections on plants, typically derived from leaves or stipules. They differ from thorns, which are modified stems, and from prickles, which are outgrowths from the epidermis. Spines in plants frequently serve defense against herbivores and may help reduce water loss by shading tissues or reducing air flow around the plant. A well-known example is the spines of cacti.

In zoology and paleontology, spines are rigid projections on animal bodies or fossils. They can be calcareous, as in the spines of sea urchins and other echinoderms, or keratinous and sclerotized in some other groups. Spines may support locomotion, aid in defense, or serve sensory or structural roles, depending on the organism and body part involved.

In summary, espines encompasses a broad category of sharp, protective, or functional projections found in plants and animals. While the term is primarily used in Spanish-language contexts, its English equivalents—spines, thorns, and prickles—describe related but distinct kinds of projections in botanical and zoological literature.