Foraging by juvenile salmon in a restored estuarine wetland

The functional value of a restored estuarine wetland as a foraging area for juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) and fall chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) was evaluated during the spring seaward migrations of each species in 1987 and 1988. During both years, fish foraged selectively. While temporarily residing in the restored wetland, both salmon selected primarily chironomid insects (midge larvae, pupae, and adults) over all other organisms considered available prey. A detritus-based food chain (detritus-chironomids-juvenile chum salmon or chinook salmon) suggests that the restored wetland provides productive foraging habitat for migrating juvenile chum and fall chinook salmon during their early residency in the estuary. However, the equivalency of foraging in restored or created estuarine wetlands compared to foraging in altered riverine or natural habitats remains untested.     

Diel variation in immigration of fishes and decapod crustaceans to artificial seagrass habitat

Fish and decapod entry into small (1.5 m²) artificial seagrass habitats positioned on an open sand area in a New Jersey estuary was examined to determine if immigration varied between day and night. To encounter the structured habitats, colonizers had to cross an expanse of bare sand, with its presumably higher predation risk. Contrasts in abundance in the artificial seagrass plots between dawn and dusk indicated higher nighttime immigration for four species, including the fishesFundulus heteroclitus andMyoxocephalus aenaeus, and the caridean shrimpsPalaemonetes vulgaris andHippolyte pleuracanthus. Size-frequency distributions of colonizers varied between day and night for two fish species,Menidia menidia andSyngnathus fuscus, with a greater proportion of smaller individuals immigrating to the artificial seagrass at night.Callinectes sapidus also displayed a diel contrast in size distribution but, for this species, proportionately more small individuals colonized the plots during the day. We suggest that diel variability in predation risk and/or diel patterns in motor activity may be responsible for these patterns in immigration.     

The effect of human disturbance on foraging behavior and habitat use in piping plover (Charadrius melodus)

Piping plovers breed in coastal areas where they experience intense competition with man. I studied habitat use (using transects) and foraging behavior (using focal animals) at three habitats on each of three nesting beaches over a 2-yr period (1988–1989) in New Jersey, USA, to understand how plovers use space. Piping plovers forage along in tidal oceanfront, in the dunes, and in backbays, and their relative use of tehse habitats partially depends on the presence of people. Within each habitat the plovers select sites that contain fewer people than the habitat as a whole. The time devoted to vigilance (when they are not searching for food) is directly related to the number of people near them, and to the overall human use of that habitat. Thus, in habitats with few people the plovers can spend 90% of their foraging time actively searching for prey and feeding, whereas on beaches with many people they may spend less than 50% of their foraging time in direct feeding behaviors. A diversity of habitats allows the birds to move between habitats to minimize interactions with people and maximize the time devoted to foraging. The results suggest that it is critical to maintain high habitat diversity in coastal environments to help mitigate competition with people.     

Composition and distribution of larval fishes in New Jersey high marshes

The surface of the salt marsh is an important, but largely unrecognized, site for fish reproduction and larval growth. In an attempt to determine the composition and distribution of fishes utilizing these habitats, we sampled larval and juvenile fish with plankton nets, dip nets, and traps at a variety of microhabitats (tidal and nontidal ponds and ditches and the marsh surface) in three New Jersey high marshes. Two of the three marshes had been altered for mosquito control. During April to September 1980, we collected over 2,400 larvae and juveniles. All study sites were dominated by the larvae of the resident killifishes (Fundulus heteroclitus, Cyprinodon variegatus, F. luciae, andLucania parva) and less commonlyMenidia beryllina. However, the occurrence and abundance of each species varied with microhabitat. Larval production in all three marshes peaked during June–July, but extended from May until September. In most instances juveniles of the dominant fishes had microhabitat preferences similar to the larvae. High marshes may be more important for fish production than previously recognized because they serve as nursery areas for the resident killifishes.     

Diel activity cycles of two Chesapeake Bay fishes,the striped blenny (Chasmodes bosquianus) and the oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau)

Diel activity cycles of toadfish and striped blennies were identified in the laboratory by means of mechanoelectric detector units. Data for both species were collected over 72-h periods. Daytime and nighttime activity rates were compared statistically. In addition, five 3-h segments (3 during the day and 2 at night) were selected for statistical comparison. both species are more active at night than during the day. The toadfish appears to be more strictly nocturnal than does the blenny, with the peak in its activity occurring in the 3-h segment following dusk. Blenny activity increases throughout the night, reaching a peak during the 3-h segment before dawn. It then ebbs to a low in the afternoon.     

Viruses as potential regulators of regional brown tide blooms caused by the alga,Aureococcus anophagefferens

Blooms of the brown tide organismAureccoccus anophagefferens have recurred in the coastal bays in New Jersey since 1995 and in the coastal bays of Long Island since 1985. Intracellular viral-like particles (VLPs) were documented during 1999–2000 brown tide blooms in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, but it was not determined whether cells were infected during the termination of the bloom. The objective of this study was to determine if VLPs infected and lysed natural populations ofA. anophagefferens in coastal bays of New Jersey and New York in 2002 with the same frequency as in 1999–2000 and especially at the termination of the bloom. Our results confirmed that the highest percentage (37.5%) of VLP-infected cells occurred at the termination of the brown tide bloom in New Jersey in 2002. Intracellular VLPs were present throughout the bloom event. The percentage of visibly infected cells was higher at the beginning of the bloom than during the peak of the bloom. The intracellular VLPs in natural populations ofA. anophagefferens were consistent in size and shape (approximately 140 nm in diameter) and comparable to those in previous studies. Concentrated viral isolates, prepared from waters during brown tide blooms in New York and New Jersey in 2002, infected healthy laboratoryA. anophagefferens cultures in vitro. The viral isolates associated with the highest laboratory viral activity (lysis positive) were concentrated from water samples having the highest viral and bacteria concentrations. The intracellular viruses in these virally infected laboratory cultures ofA. anophagefferens were similar in size and shape to those found in natural populations. The successful isolation of a virus specific toA. anophagefferens from a brown tide bloom in the field, the similarity of ultrastructure of VLPs infecting both natural populations and laboratory infected cultures, and the pattern of VLP infection during bloom activity in combination with the observed high percentage of VLP-infected cells during bloom termination, supports, the hypothesis that viruses may be a major source of mortality for brown tide blooms in regional coastal bays of New Jersey and New York.     

Identification of Winter Flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) Estuarine Spawning Habitat and Factors Influencing Egg and Larval Distributions

A long-term (2002–2011), spatially robust, ichthyoplankton sampling program conducted in the New York/New Jersey Harbor produced 3,033 epibenthic samples from which the relationships between winter flounder egg and larval distributions and environmental parameters were examined. Variations in water temperature, sediment characteristics, and tidal phase were all significantly associated with egg distributions. Inferences about spawning habitats were based on the presence of early-stage eggs (ES1 and ES2). In the Lower Bay (LB), these habitats were primarily non-channel and characterized by more sandy substrates, averaging 96.5 % sand, 2.3 % silt/clay, 0.2 % total organic carbon (TOC), and shallower water (average depths of 5.3 m) compared to LB non-channel stations without ES1 and ES2 eggs (50.2 % sand, 42.0 % silt/clay, 2.1 % TOC, and 7.9 m depths). Occurrences of all stages of eggs in channels were associated with strong tides and severe cold winter water temperatures. These conditions increase the probability of egg transport from shallow spawning sites through increased vertical mixing (strong tides) and delayed development that prolongs the risk of displacement (cold temperatures). Yolk-sac (YS) and Stage-2 larvae were smaller in 2010 when spring water temperatures were highest. Overall, YS larval size decreased with warmer winters (cumulative degree-days for the month preceding peak YS larval collections, r ²?=?0.82, p?<?0.05). In all years, YS larvae collected in LB were smaller and Stage-3 larvae collected in channels were larger and possibly older than those from non-channel habitat. Because estuarine winter flounder populations are highly localized, adverse effects experienced during egg and larval stages are likely to propagate resulting in detrimental consequences for the year class in the natal estuary.     

Using otolith microchemistry ofHaemulon flavolineatum (French grunt) to characterize mangroves and coral reefs throughout Turneffe Atoll, Belize: Difficulties at small spatial scales

We investigated whether the otolith chemistry ofHaemulon flavolineatum (French grunt), a nocturnally active fish, could be used as a means to differentiate individuals occupying mangrove and coral reef habitats. In 2003, adults were collected from 9 mangrove and 10 coral reef sites throughout Turneffe Atoll, Belize. Concentrations of trace elements were measured at the edge of sagittal otoliths by laser ablated inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results of a two-factor nested MANCOVA (sites nested within habitat and covariate of fish size), used to investigate whether significant differences in otolith elemental concentrations existed between habitats (i.e., mangrove versus reef) and among sites, indicated significant differences between habitats, in terms of lithium, magnesium, zinc, and rubidium (fish from mangroves had greater concentrations than those from coral reefs), as well as among sites (for several elements). Because elemental variability existed between habitats and among sites, we asked whether this variability was sufficient to differentiate habitats and sites using separate linear discriminant function analyses (LDFA). LDFA indicated that fish were classified to the habitat (mangrove or reef) from which they were collected with a moderate degree of accuracy (correct classification of 74% and 79% for mangrove and coral reef fish, respectively), but were poorly classified to the site from which they were collected (average correct classification of 46% with a range of 0–89%). Otolith microchemical investigations ofH. flavolineatum at Turneffe Atoll can be used to identify movement between habitats, yet due to the lack of unique site-specific chemical signatures likely caused by the nocturnal movement of individuals, it will not be possible to identify specific sites from which reef fish originated.     

Created versus natural coastal islands: Atlantic waterbird populations, habitat choices, and management implications

Nesting colonial waterbirds along the Atlantic Coast of the United States face a number of landscape-level threats including human disturbance, mammalian predator expansion, and habitat alteration. There have been changes from 1977 to the mid-1990s in use of nesting habitats and populations of a number of seabird species of concern in the region, including black skimmersRynchops niger Linnaeaus, common ternsSterna hirundo Linnaeaus, gull-billed ternsSterna nilotica Linnaeaus, least ternsSterna antillarum Lesson, royal ternsSterna maxima Boddaert, and sandwich ternsSterna sandvicensis Cabot. These species form colonies primarily on the following habitat types: large, sandy barrier or shoal islands, natural estuarine or bay islands (mostly marsh) man-made islands of dredged deposition materials (from navigation channels), and the mainland. Significant changes in the use of the dredged material islands have occurred for these species in New Jersey and North Carolina, but not in Virginia. Population declines and changes in bird habitat use appear to be at least partially associated with the conditions and management of the existing dredged material islands, coastal policy changes associated with creating new dredged material islands, and competing demands for sand for beach augmentation by coastal communities. As these and other coastal habitats become less suitable for colonial waterbirds, other man-made sites, such as, bridges and buildings have become increasingly more important. In regions with intense recreational demands, coastal wildlife managers need to take a more aggressive role in managing natural and man-made habitats areas and as stakeholders in the decision-making process involving dredged materials and beach sand allocation.     

Fauna of polyhaline subtidal marsh creeks in Southern New Jersey: Composition,abundance and biomass

Three polyhaline subtidal marsh creeks in southern New Jersey were sampled with weirs and seines to determine seasonal patterns of utilization by fishes and macroinvertebrates. Sixty-four species of fish, 13 invertebrates, and the diamondback terrapin were collected in 69 weir and 57 seine samples from April to November 1988 and April to October 1989. Average abundance, biomass, and faunal composition were strongly seasonal with greatest abundances during spring and summer, and peaks in May and August. Sixteen species were represented by all life-history stages, including the five most important species by combined ranks of percent frequency, mean abundance, and mean biomass. These five species were important during spring, summer, and fall and included the fishes Menidia menidia and Fundulus heteroclitus, the shrimps Palaemonetes vulgaris and Crangon septemspinosa, and the crab Callinectes sapidus. In addition, there were distinct seasonal assemblages of other species which utilized the creeks primarily as young-of-the-year. Importnat species in spring collections included the fishes Clupea harengus, Alosa aestivalis, Alosa pseudoharengus, Pollachius virens, and Urophysics regia, while Leiostomus xanthurus, Pomatomus saltatrix, Paralichthys dentatus, Mugil curema, and Strongylura marina were important in the summer. Fall samples were best characterized by declining abundances of summer species. Thus, subtidal marsh creeks in southern New Jersey appear to be valuable nurseries for a variety of species which spawn over the continental shelf, as well as one of the most important habitats for estuarine residents.     

Marsh-creek connectivity: Fish use of a tidal salt marsh in Southern California

Salt marsh habitats influenced by southern California's mixed, semi-diurnal tides are, on average, accessible to fishes less than 16% of the time. However, five species (four natives, one oxotic) and a variety of juvenile and adult size classes were collected on the marsh surface during a year-long sampling from June 1997 through June 1998 at Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge on San Diego Bay.Fundulus parvipinis andGillichthys mirabilis were the most abundant fish species using the marsh. Analyses of their guts revealed that the marsh surface provides a rich foraging area for fishes on high spring tides.F. parvipinnis with marsh access consumed six times as much food as fishes restricted to creek habitats (on a g-food g-fish^?1 basis) and also fed on additional prey types. Because the salt marsh is an important foraging area for fishes, we recommend that restoration projects (especially those intended to mitigate lost fish habitat) include vegetated areas with interconnecting tidal creeks.     

Near-Surface Larval and Juvenile Fish in Coastal Habitats: Comparisons Between the Inner Shelf and an Estuary in the New York Bight During Summer and Fall

Exchanges of fish larvae between the inner continental shelf and estuaries can be critical to the functional significance of these habitats as nurseries. We sampled near-surface fishes on the inner continental shelf off New Jersey and in an adjacent estuary during the summer and fall of 2005 and 2006 to evaluate the occurrence and variation in these connections. Very few of the abundant taxa (Anchoa mitchilli, Brevoortia tyrannus, Urophycis regia, Etropus microstomus, Peprilus triacanthus, and Pomatomus saltatrix) were exclusive to either habitat but some did change in relative habitat affinity among seasons. For some species, this was indicative of a departure from the ocean for estuaries (e.g., Micropogonias undulatus) while others used both habitats during the summer and fall (e.g., Syngnathus fuscus, Scophthalmus aquosus, and A. mitchilli). Together, these observations confirm the high degree of connectivity between the near-surface larval fishes from the inner continental shelf and estuaries.     

A new genus of Trichomyiinae (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Upper Cretaceous amber of New Jersey

Xenotrichomyia newjerseyiensis a new genus and species belonging to Trichomyiinae within Psychodidae is characterized, described, illustrated and its taxonomic position is discussed. It shares some similarities with Trichomyiinae of group B, but retains some archaic features, such as normal and non-excentric flagellomeres, and possesses an autapomorphy in wing venation that distinguish it from all remaining Trichomyiinae. This discovery represents the first Trichomyiinae (Psychodidae) from the Upper Cretaceous New Jersey amber, and adds more evidence on the very high palaeodiversity of the psychodids since at least the Lower Cretaceous. An updated check list of fossil Trichomyiinae is given.     

Distribution and abundance of early life history stages of the blue crab,Callinectes sapidus,in tidal marsh creeks near Charleston,South Carolina

A 16-month study of estuarine habitats in poly-, meso-, and oligohaline salinity regimes near Charleston Harbor assessed the distribution and abundance of megalopae and early crab stages of the blue crab,Callinectes sapidus. Blue crab were sampled with a plankton net and a cylindrical drop sampler. Blue crab were most abundant in plankton collections at night, accounting for 68% of the megalopae and over 88% of the juveniles collected in day and night tows combined. At night, densities of megalopae were greatest in surface samples, whereas densities in daylight collections were greater on the bottom. Juvenile densities were greatest on the bottom in both day and night collections, although catch rates at night were more variable than those of the megalopae. This suggests that megalopae, and possibly juvenile stages, experience a diel vertical migration. Results indicate that ingress to estuarine nursery areas occurs at the megalopal stage. Megalopal densities were highest at the polyhaline site, while juvenile blue crab were most abundant in the oligohaline area. Habitat utilization by juvenile blue crab was estimated using a cylindrical drop sampler and Venturi suction pump on three bottom types in the intertidal zone. Densities were greatest over the sandy-mud substrate, although catch rates were much lower than those reported for other geographical areas. These results suggest that juvenile blue crab do not occur in abundance on the marsh surface but remain on the creek bottom, possibly because creek physiography and large tidal amplitudes may restrict accessibility to the marsh surface.     

Habitat use patterns of the mummichog,Fundulus heteroclitus, in New England. I. Intramarsh variation

Although studies of intertidal habitats have contributed greatly to the field of ecology, the processes governing the use of these areas by highly mobile animals such as fish remain poorly understood. In particular, although large-scale patterns of estuarine fish abundances are well known, fine-scale patterns of habitat use have been largely overlooked. Here, I examine among and within habitat use patterns of the mummichog,Fundulus heteroclitus, in a New England salt marsh. Using minnow traps I sampled changes in mummichog habitat use among closely spaced sites within creeks, mudflat, and channel over 2 yr. The general pattern of mummichog captures was consistent among years, showing peaks in summer months and lows in winter. Use of specific habitat types was also seasonally dependent. For most of the year (fall, winter, spring) mudflat capture rates were lower than creek capture rates in the summer; however, densities in the mudflat equal or exceed those in creeks. In most months channel habitats did not differ significantly in use from either creek or mudflat habitat. Consistent patterns also occur within induividual marsh habitats.F. heteroclitus concentrate in the uppermost portion of creeks. Additionally, mudflat capture rates (August 1990) declined with increasing water depth. Diurnal habitat use is heavier than nocturnal use for all habitats. These findings demonstrate that mummichogs are restricted to areas representing a very small proportion of total available habitat and that their patterns of habitat use are strongly seasonal. Only careful experimental work can determine the relative advantages of these habitats for estuarine fish. Further comparative work is required to reveal how biological and physical parameters affecting habitat use may vary geographically.     

Diel Variation in the Pelagic Fish Assemblage in a Temperate Estuary

The pelagic fish assemblage within a temperate estuary was examined to determine if there were diel differences in species richness, total abundance, biomass, and species composition. These comparisons were made over both seasonal (January–December 1996) and annual (August–November 1995; August–December 1996) scales with pop net collections in a shallow (<2 m MLW) embayment within Great Bay in southern New Jersey, USA. In the complete year of sampling in 1996, more than 335,000 pelagic fish, representing 13 families (23 species), were collected during diel sampling with 12 species constituting over 99.9% of the total catch including Clupea harengus (84%), Menidia menidia (10%), and Anchoa mitchilli (4%). A detailed examination determined that nighttime species richness, total abundance and biomass may have been enhanced during some seasons by using artificial light. Diel variation in species composition was similar regardless of the use of the artificial light in all seasons but fall. Annual comparisons between 1995 and 1996 during late summer and fall found these results to be consistent. In general, these findings point out the importance of sampling during both day and night to understand the movement and abundance patterns of estuarine pelagic fishes and their ecological significance in temperate estuaries.     

Reproductive success of wading birds using<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phragmites</Emphasis> marsh and upland nesting habitats

Colonial nesting of long-legged wading birds (Ciconiiformes) in the coastal northeastern U.S. is limited primarily to islands, which provide isolated habitats that are relatively free of ground predators. Estuarine wetlands in this heavily developed region, including foraging wetlands and fringe marshes surrounding nesting islands, are often dominated byPhragmites australis. On Pea Patch Island in Delaware Bay, site of one of the largest and most enduring mixed-species heron colonies on the East Coast, wading birds nest inPhragmites marsh habitat as well as in adjacent upland shrubs and trees. BecausePhragmites is aggressively managed in Delaware Bay, we investigated the relative habitat value of marsh and upland nesting sites for the purpose of developing recommendations for marsh and wildlife management. Utilization of marsh habitat by nesting birds ranged from 27–82% during 1993–1998. Two species (great blue heronArdea herodias and great egretA. alba) never nested inPhragmites, four species (little blue heronEgretta caerulea, snowy egretE. thula, cattle egretBubulcus ibis, and black-crowned night-heronNycticorax nycticorax) nested in approximately equal proportions in both habitats, and one species (glossy ibisPlegadis falcinellus) was largely confined to marsh nesting. Productivity (egg and nestling production) varied between habitats for some species. Cattle egrets produced larger clutches and had higher hatching rates inPhragmites compared to upland habitat. Little blue herons were more successful in the uplands. Managers should retainPhragmites marsh at colony sites, such as Pea Patch Island, where it provides critical habitat for nesting wading birds both as substrate for nesting and buffer habitat to control human disturbance.     

Surface elevation dynamics in vegetatedSpartina marshes versus unvegetated tidal ponds along the Mid-Atlantic coast, USA, with implications to waterbirds

Mid Atlantic coastal salt marshes contain a matrix of vegetation diversified by tidal pools, pannes, and creeks, providing habitats of varying importance to many species of breeding, migrating, and wintering waterbirds. We hypothesized that changes in marsh elevation were not sufficient to keep pace with those of sea level in both vegetated and unvegetatedSpartina alterniflora sites at a number of mid lagoon marsh areas along the Atlantic Coast. We also predicted that northern areas would suffer less of a deficit than would southern sites. Beginning in August 1998, we installed surface elevation tables at study sites on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, southern New Jersey, and two locations along Virginia's eastern shore. We compared these elevation changes over the 4–4.5 yr record with the long-term (>50 yr) tidal records for each locale. We also collected data on waterbird use of these sites during all seasons of the year, based on ground surveys and replicated surveys from observation platforms. Three patterns of marsh elevation change were found. At Nauset Marsh, Cape Cod, theSpartina marsh surface tracked the pond surface, both keeping pace with regional sea-level rise rates. In New Jersey, the ponds are becoming deeper while marsh surface elevation remains unchanged from the initial reading. This may result in a submergence of the marsh in the future, assuming sea-level rise continues at current rates. Ponds at both Virginia sites are filling in, while marsh surface elevation rates do not seem to be keeping pace with local sea-level rise. An additional finding at all sites was that subsidence in the vegetated marsh surfaces was less than in unvegetated areas, reflecting the importance of the root mat in stabilizing sediments. The implications to migratory waterbirds are significant. Submergence of much of the lagoonal marsh area in Virginia and New Jersey over the next century could have major negative (i.e., flooding) effects on nesting populations of marsh-dependent seaside sparrowsAmmodramus maritimus, saltmarsh sharp-tailed sparrowsAmmodramus caudacutus, black railsLaterallus jamaicensis, clapper railsRallus longirostris. Forster's ternsSterna forsteri, common ternsSterna hirundo, and gull-billed ternsSterna nilotica. Although short-term inundation of many lagoonal marshes may benefit some open-water feeding ducks, geese, and swans during winter, the long-term ecosystem effects may be detrimental, as wildlife resources will be lost or displaced. With the reduction in area of emergent marsh, estuarine secondary productivity and biotic diversity will also be reduced.     

Patterns of seasonal availability and habitat use by fishes and decapod crustaceans in a southern New Jersey estuary

We examined the community structure of fish and selected decapod crustaceans and tested for within estuary differences among habitats at depths of 0.6 m to 7.9 m, in Great Bay and Little Egg Harbor in southern New Jersey. Several habitat types were identified a priori (e.g., eelgrass, sea lettuce, and marsh creeks) and sampled by trawl (4.9 m headrope, 19-mm mesh wings, 6.3-mm mesh liner), monthly, from June 1988 through October 1989. Repetitive (n=4) 2-min trawl tows were taken at each habitat type from 13 locations. The fishes and decapod crustaceans collected were typical of other Mid-Atlantic Bight estuaries but varied greatly inseasonal abundance and species. In the years sampled, bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli) was the dominant species (50.5% of the total number), followed by spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) (10.7%), Atlantic silverside (Menidia menidia) (9.7%), fourspine stickleback (Apeltes quadracus) (5.9%), blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) (4.6%), and northern pipefish (Syngnathus fuscus) (4.2%). The biota were examined by multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) for habitat associations and “best abiotic predictor” of community structure. Percent silt combined with salinity was the most important abiotic determinant of the faunal distributions among habitats. Temperature was a major factor influencing seasonal occurrence of the biota but had less effect on habitat comparisons. The analysis confirmed the distinct nature of the assemblages associated with the habitats, that is, eelgrass, upper estuary subtidal creeks, channels, and open bay areas. Several species were associated with specific habitats: for example,A. quadracus andS. fuscus with eelgrass, clupeids with subtidal creek stations,L. xanthurus with marsh channels, and black sea bass (Centropristis striata) and spotted hake (Urophycis regia) with sponge-peat habitat. Species richness appeared to be positively related to habitat structural heterogeneity. Thus, the best predictors for these estuarine fish and decapod crustacean assemblages were seasonal temperature, percent silt and salinity combined, and the physical heterogeneity of the habitat.     

Polychlorinated biphenyl contamination in selected estuarine and coastal marine finfish and shellfish of New Jersey

Analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in selected finfish and shellfish from the estuarine and coastal marine waters of New Jersey reveals variable levels of contamination in different regions of the state. Monitoring surveys conducted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection during the last two decades indicate that biota from the northeast region are the most severely contaminated with PCBs. Early monitoring in the 1970s showed that as much as 75% of the finfish and 50% of the shellfish analyzed for Aroclor 1254—the most persistent and toxic mixture of PCBs—contained detectable levels of PCB in their edible flesh. The American eel (Anguilla rostrata), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), striped bass (Morone saxatilis), white catfish (Ictalurus catus), white perch (M. americana), and blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) exhibited high PCB levels in 1981–1982, generally approaching or exceeding the United States Food and Drug Administration action level of 2 ppm fresh weight for these organisms. PCB contamination in finfish and shellfish collected during survey periods of 1986–1987 and 1988–1991 was consistent with the previous years' data showing the northeast region of the state to be the most severely contaminated. Despite decreases in contaminant levels in some species (e.g., striped bass) and regions, results of the most recent survey confirm widespread occurrences of PCBs above background levels in the edible portions of various species from many areas of New Jersey.