Hatching,estuarine transport,and distribution of larval and early juvenile Atlantic tomcod,Microgadus tomcod,in the Hudson River

Atlantic tomcod larvae, hatching in late February and early March 1975 and 1976 into a regime of accelerating river flows, were moved rapidly downriver from milepoint 42–54 (MP 0 is the estuary mouth) to the most seaward reaches of the estuary. This resulted in a spatiotemporal distribution markedly different from that of other Hudson River fish species. Peak tomcod density on posthatch sampling dates was observed most frequently at the George Washington Bridge station (MP 11). Correlation between movements of the 1.0‰ salt front and movements of the age-0 tomcod population was high (r=0.82); and may have been enhanced by high freshwater flows. The population epicenter was always seaward of the 1.0‰ salt front and mean distance between the two was 16–17 km. Moved by tidal and freshwater flows, the tomcod population oscillated between MP 0 and MP 43 during March–May 1973–1976. Location of the population epicenter after mid march was predicted (r²=0.76) to be seaward of the Tappan Zee Bridge (MP 30) when freshwater flows were greater than 450 m³ s^?1. During flow regimes greater than 1,290 m³ s^?1, the epicenter was predicted to be seaward of the George Washington Bridge (MP 11). An optimum-allocation sampling design for age-0 tomcod showed that 58% of the total effort from mid March to early June should be directed to the river region between MP 0 and MP 24, a region largely ignored in previous studies. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY066 00013     

The cyclopoid copepods,Hemicyclops adhaerens andSaphirella sp., in the Damariscotta River estuary,maine, with a note to their possible relationship

During the 14-month collection period,Hemicyclops always appeared as naupliar stages andSaphirella as immature copepodite stages at 3 stations in the middle and lower estuary.Hemicyclops nauplii were abundant during late spring and summer, with a seasonal maximum of 7448/m³ in late spring at the upstream station.Saphirella stages were observed throughout the year, but higher population densities generally occurred in the summer and fall; the highest density was 3413/m³. Both species were usually more abundant upstream than downstream. The larvae may be life stages of a single bottom-dwelling species,Hemicyclops adhaerens.     

Tracking cohorts: Analysis of migration in the early life stages of an estuarine fish

Larvae and juveniles are often most abundant at some distance from where spawning occurs. Such apparent distribution shifts can be the result of larval migration, seasonal shifts in the distribution of spawners, or spatial heterogeneity in mortality. In the present study, a cohort-based method was adopted to test for larval migration of bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli) and to estimate its rate and timing. A spatially and temporally extensive series of ichthyoplankton samples was collected in the lowest 122 km of the Hudson River in summer 1998. Bay anchovy eggs and young-of-year individuals were abundant (mean density=1.6 m^?3 and 0.95 m^?3, respectively). Daily age used to define cohort membership was determined from otoliths. Age and length were strongly related (R²=0.74). The age-length relationship varied over the season such that early-season bay anchovy hatched in June grew more rapidly than later-season anchovy hatched in August. Cohorts were defined as week-long birth-data classes, and net migration patterns of 11 cohorts were analyzed. Mean location shifted upriver as cohorts increased in age to 6 wk, at a net rate of about 0.6 km d^?1. Cohort abundance usually decreased over time in downriver regions, but usually increased in upriver regions. The cohort analysis confirmed that the upriver shift in distribution of early-stage anchovy is not entirely due to changes in adult spawning behavior or to clines in larval mortality, and must be partly the result of larval migration.     

Diel vertical migration and seasonal timing of the larvae of three sympatric cancrid crabs,Cancer spp., in Southeastern Alaska

Diel vertical migration (DVM) and seasonal timing of three sympatricCancer spp. larvae were investigated in southeastern Alaska. Diel sampling was conducted at a station in Icy Strait at 0400, 0700, 1000, 1300 h in the first day, and 1300, 1600, 1900, and 2200 h in the second day from June to September 2001. Larvae were collected with Bongo nets (333 and 505 μm mesh) towed vertically from 20 m depth to the surface. During flood tides surface temperature increased slightly and salinity decreased; the reverse occurred during ebb tides. Zooplankton biomasses were higher in the early morning and evening than during the midday. A total of 4,482 larvae were examined for the study.Cancer oregonensis larvae were most abundant (4,238), followed byC. magister (205) andC. productus (39). Larval density peaked in June while no larvae were found in September.C. magister larvae had a crepuscular migration; larval abundance peaked in early morning and evening.C. oregonensis larvae comprised 94.6% of allCancer spp. larvae collected and had a strong DVM in June. Earlier zoeal stages ofC. oregonensis were relatively more abundant during midday, while later stages were more abundant at night. In July, later larval stages ofC. oregonensis were distributed at the surface all day with a peak at 2200 h. Larvae ofC. productus first occurred in July and peaked in August.C. productus had DVM but many were at the surface diurnally.C. magister andC. oregonensis larvae co-occurred seasonally as they do in the lower latitudes, e.g., Washington and British Columbia; however,C. productus appeared approximately 2 mo later thanC. magister andC. oregonensis in southeastern Alaska.     

Seasonal and spatial distribution of the Carolina marsh clamPolymesoda caroliniana (Bosc) in a Mississippi tidal marsh

The abundance of the marsh clamPolymesoda caroliniana at four stations on a Mississippi tidal marsh was followed from February 1977 through April 1978. The stations varied with respect to inundation time and vegetative cover. The largest population was found in an area flooded 12% of the year (136 individuals per m²) and in an area flooded 3.2% of the year (126 individuals per m²). However, the latter area contained no large clams (>25.5 mm). Smaller populations were found in the upper reaches of a tidal creek draining the marsh (68 individuals per m²) and in an area flooded 5.8% of the year (73 individuals per m²). The average abundance of the clams on the marsh was 100 per m². At least three recruitment periods were apparent. In laboratory studies, clams larger than 15 mm survived longer than 30 days without water. Clams smaller than 12 mm survived less than 6 days without water. Several decapods (Callinectes sapidus, Uca longisignalis, andSesarma reticulatum) consumed clams smaller than 10 mm but were unable to eat larger clams under laboratory conditions.Polymesoda caroliniana may be important to the functioning of the marsh by removing large quantities of particulate matter from flooding water.     

Circular scanlines and circular windows: new tools for characterizing the geometry of fracture traces

We introduce new estimators for fracture trace intensity, trace density and mean trace length that exploit the use of circles as efficient sampling tools. A fracture trace is the commonly observed surface expression of a fracture, i.e. the intersection of a fracture with an exposed surface such as a rock pavement or a mine drive wall. Trace intensity, trace density and mean trace length estimators are derived and shown to form a self-consistent set of two-dimensional fracture abundance measures. The intensity estimator n/4r uses the number, n, of intersections between fracture traces and a circular scanline of radius r. The density estimator m/2πr² uses the number, m, of trace endpoints inside a circular window. The mean trace length estimator (n/m)πr/2 uses the ratio of the number of trace intersections on the circle to the number of endpoints in the circle.The circular sampling tools and estimators described here eliminate most sampling biases due to orientation and also correct many errors due to censoring and length bias that plague established scanline and areal measurement techniques. Performance of the estimators is demonstrated by comparison with areal samples of a synthetic fracture trace population with known intensity, density and mean trace length. The estimators are also applied successfully to a natural rock pavement with two orthogonal fracture sets, one of which is severely censored. Because the new circle-based estimators only require counts of trace–circle intersections and/or trace endpoints, they are more time-efficient than current methods for estimating geometric characteristics of fracture traces.     

Predation on soft-shell clams,Mya arenaria,by the common mummichog,Fundulus heteroclitus

Invertebrate predation has been cited as the major factor determining post-settling survival of the soft-shell clam, Mya arenaria. Feeding studies on common mummichogs, Fundulus heteroclitus, in Essex Bay, Massachusetts, from July 1976 to June 1978 showed soft-shell clams to be an important diet item in fish greater than 55 mm TL. Biweekly quantitative seining from 16 April to 24 September 1977 revealed predation peaks in the spring and fall corresponding to March–April and June–July spawning periods for M. arenaria. In spring and fall 1977 and spring 1978, 38.5% of the male and 52.8% of the female mummichogs sampled over 55 mm TL averaged 6.77 and 7.32 clams per stomach respectively. The maximum number of clams per stomach was 49 (108 mm female), and 47 (100 mm male). Quantitative seining at low tide yielded mummichog densities from 0.35 to 6.04 fish/m². Combining mummichog density estimates with soft-shell clam predation data gave a possible consumption of 546,000 M. arenaria per km low tide shoreline per day during peak predation periods. Results indicate mummichog predation may equal or exceed invertebrate predation as a major cause of small (<12 mm) soft-shell clam mortality in the Gulf of Maine.     

Productivity,detritus flux,and nutrient cycling in a Carex lyngbyei tidal marsh

Net annual primary production of a sedge Carex lyngbyei dominated tidal marsh in the Fraser River estuary, British Columbia, Canada was 634 g ash-free dry weight (AFDW) per m² per yr (687 g dry weight per m² per yr). Mean maximum shoot elongation during the short (May to August) growing season was 1.88 cm per day from overwintering shoots. The maximum aboveground standing crop of 690 g AFDW per m² represented only 25% of the total below-ground biomass, which appears to be controlling most of the critical life history processes of the sedge marsh. An estimate of 14 percent of the aboveground standing crop was lost through leaching of dissolved organic carbon from the growting plant. Aboveground tissue losses, which were negligible during the growing season, occurred primarily via translocation in autumn and tidal export during the winter. In situ measurements showed that of the original maximum standing crop, approximately 38%, 37%, and 25% were lost by downward translocation, tidal export, and sediment burial, respectively. Based on changes in above and belowground nutrient pools, rapid spring (May to late June) uptake rates of 109 mg N per m² per day and 23.0 mg P per m² per day by shoots were followed by downward translocation rates of 44.8 mg N per m² per day and 12.2 mg P per m² per day during late June to the end of August. Aboveground leaching rates were estimated as 23.9 mg N per m² per day and 7.8 mg P m² per day and belowground uptake rates as 100 mg N per m² per day and 26 mg P per m² per day; root uptake occurred primarily after late June. Nutrient levels in decomposing litter more than doubled over the winter period showing a pattern of nutrient enrichment characteristic of marsh ecosystems. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY023 00004     

Productivity of cordgrass,Spartina alterniflora,estimated from live standing crops,mortality, and leaf shedding in a Virginia salt marsh

Net annual productivity of tall and medium form cordgrass,Spartina alterniflora, was estimated by a new clip sampling method in a sloping foreshore salt marsh at Wallops Island, Virginia. This method measured live standing crops only, to avoid problems of measuring dead biomass inherent in other methods. Losses from live standing crops by shoot mortality and by leaf shedding were estimated from these measurements and added separately to production of live tillers and of live culms. This allowed quantification of various components of production.Spartina tillering in different zones of the marsh produced 62 to 211 g dry weight per m² per yr. Tiller mortality removed 37 to 106 g per m² per yr from live standing crops. Culms produced 348 to 1,132 g per m² before flowering and die-back. Culm mortality removed 28 to 246 g per m² before flowering. Leaf shedding removed an additional 83 g per m² in tall formSpartina. Altogether, net annual productivity These estimates are much higher than previous estimates of productivity and standing crops inSpartina marshes nearby.     

Downstream effects of restored freshwater inflow to Rincon Bayou, Nueces Delta, Texas, USA

Construction of two dams in 1958 and 1982 decreased freshwater inflow to the Nueces River and Nueces Delta marsh, which has become a reverse estuary where salinity increases upstream rather than downstream as would occur in a normal estuary. In 1995, an overflow channel was dug to breach the banks of the Nueces River to restore inundation of the marsh via Rincon Bayou, which is the main stem channel of the delta. Previous studies demonstrated a restoration of a normal salinity gradient and positive affects on benthos in the upper reaches of Rincon Bayou. The present study was performed to determine how far downstream the overflow channel had beneficial effects. A transect of eight stations was established and sampled quarterly between October 1998 and October 1999. Benthic characteristics were measured to assess ecological change. There were 12 precipitation and freshwater inflow events between the month preceding and ending sampling. The largest were in fall and restored normal salinity patterns. The macrobenthic community was different in three zones. The upper four stations (<6.4 km from the overflow channel) were highly variable in water inundation and salinity. The broad salinity range caused the lowest diversity and allowed short-lived pioneer speciesStreblospio benedicti, Laeonereis culveri, and Chirominid larvae to dominate. Biomass blooms occurred during fall inflow events in the upper reaches. The central stations (11.4 to 14.3 km from the overflow channel) were brackish, had more narrow salinity ranges, and were more diverse.Mulinia lateralis, Mediomastus ambiseta, Cerapus tubularis, andAmpelisca abdita were dominant species. The third zone, the lower portion of Nueces Bay (27 km from the overflow channel), was distinct from other stations in the transect, because it had the greatest marine influence. It is in a later successional stage, with a more diverse community of larger organisms, e.g.,Polydora caulleryi, Tharyx setigera, andMysella planulata, which were dominant species and contributed to the larger biomass there. Overall, the overflow channel restored normal salinity patterns in the upper reaches (<14 km) of Rincon Bayou and freshwater pulses (>10⁶ m³) in fall increased benthic productivity indicating ecological functions were restored as well. This restoration however, only occurs intermittently for short time periods because the freshwater events are isolated and inflow volumes during the current study were too small to affect the lower Rincon Bayou or Nueces Bay.     

Macrobenthic communities from wetland impoundments and adjacent open marsh habitats in South Carolina

Forty-eight core and grab samples were taken from two impoundments and an adjacent tidal creek and salt marsh during each of six sampling periods (January, June and November 1983; and January, April and July 1984). Habitats sampled within the impoundments included the perimeter ditch and shallow vegeted areas dominated byRuppia maritima, Spartina alterniflora, andScirpus robustus. The adjacent tidal creek bottom and low marsh ofS. alterniflora were sampled for comparison with the impoundment sites. Major differences in faunal composition and density of macrobenthic invertebrates were observed between habitats in this study. Macrobenthic density was highest (475 individuals 0.05 m^?2) at the impoundment site dominated byScripus robustus, where oligochaetes were abundant. The open marsh site had a density of 254 individuals 0.05 m^?2. Among unvegetated sites, density for all sampling periods was higher in Chainey Creek than in the perimeter ditches of the impoundments. The total number of taxa was highest for the open marsh and tidal creek sites. The impoundments contained vegetated sites which were inhabited by fewer species than nonimpounded sites, while the perimeter ditch sites were comparatively depauperate. Cluster and nodal analyses identified four broad assemblages based on habitat: 1) an open marsh assemblage, 2) a creek assemblage, 3) a eurytopic assemblage, and 4) an impoundment assemblage. The separation of faunal assemblages by sampling site rather than sampling period suggests that physical differences between habitats were important factors determining distribution patterns.     

Flushing times for the Providence River based on tracer experiments

The flushing time of the Providence River was estimated using three different data sets and three different methodologies. Dye concentrations were measured following instantaneous dye releases during wet weather experiments performed by the Narragansett Bay Project between October 1988 and June 1989. These data were analyzed to obtain flushing time estimates. Salinity measurements collected during the Sinbadd (Sampling In Narragansett Bay All During the Day) cruises, Spray (Sampling the Providence River All Year) cruises and wet weather experiments were used with the fraction of fresh water method and box model to calculate flushing time. The Sinbadd cruises performed 4 seasonal surveys at 22 stations in Narragansett Bay during 1986 to obtain a view of the whole Narragansett Bay with respect to the concentrations of nutrients and trace metals. The Spray cruises collected data in the Providence River at 10 stations to determine the relationship of nutrients and trace metals concentrations in the Seekonk and Providence rivers as a function of point source inputs. Based on the flushing time estimates, an exponential relationship between freshwater inflow and flushing time was developed (correlation coefficient of 0.826). The flushing time ranged from 0.8 d at high (90 m³ m^?1) freshwater inflows to 4.4 d at low (20 m³ s^?1) freshwater inflows. The average flushing time of the Providence River was estimated as 2.5 d for the mean freshwater inflow of 42.3 m³ s^?1.     

Distribution, abundance, and habitat characteristics of juvenile tautog (Tautoga onitis, family labridae) in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, 1988–1992

Estuarine nursery areas are critical for successful recruitment of tautog (Tautoga onitis), yet they have not been studied over most of this species' range. Distribution, abundance and habitat characteristics of young-of-the-year (YOY, age 0) and age 1+juvenile tautog were evaluated during 1988–1992 in the Narragansett Bay estuary, Rhode Island, using a 16-station, beach-seine survey. Estuary-wide abundance was similar among years. Greatest numbers of juveniles were collected at northern Narragansett Bay stations between July and September. Juvenile abundances varied with density of macroalgal and eelgrass cover; abundances ranged from 0.03 fish per 100 m² to 8.1 fish per 100 m². Although juveniles use eelgrass, macroalgae is the dominant vegetative cover in Narragansett Bay. Macroalgal habitats play a previously unrealized, important role and contribute to successful recruitment of juvenile tautog in Narragansett Bay. Juvenile abundances did not vary with sediment type or salinity, but were correlated with surface water temperature. Fish collected in June were age 1+ juveniles from the previous year-class (50–167 mm TL) and these declined in number after July or August. The appearance of YOY (25–30 mm TL) in July and August was coincident with the period of their greatest abundances. A precipitous decline in abundance occurred by October because of the individual or combined effects of mortality and movement to alternative habitats. Based on juvenile abundance, a previously unidentified spawning area was noted in Mount Hope Bay, a smaller embayment attached to the northeastern portion of Narragansett Bay. In August 1991, Hurricane Bob disrupted juvenile sise distribution and abundance, resulting in reduced numbers of YOY collected after the storm and few 1+ juveniles in 1992.     

Seasonal abundance and vertical distribution of crab larvae in Delaware Bay

Larvae of 15 species or genera of crabs were collected and identified during a six month (May 26 to October 28, 1978) study in the mouth of Delaware Bay. Seasonal abundance and vertical distribution of each species were investigated. Most species studied had peak abundance in July and August except forCancer irroratus andOvalipes ocellatus which showed peak occurrence in May and June, respectively. Larvae of species strongly dependent on estuarine habitats, such asUca spp.,Pinnixa chaetopterana, andP. sayana, showed a tendency to congregate in near-bottom waters where net flow of water is landward, thus favoring retention within the estuary. Larvae ofOvalipes ocellatus, Cancer irroratus, andCallinectes sapidus were more common at the surface. This vertical distribution suggests that these larvae are flushed out of the estuary. The mechanisms of recruitment and replenishment of adult populations within the estuary would therefore depend on migration of megalopa and juveniles. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY019 00006     

Enclosure experiments on survival and growth of black drum eggs and larvae in lower Chesapeake Bay

Experiments in 2.2 m³, in situ mesocosm enclosures indicate that black drum, Pogonias cromis, eggs and larvae potentially can survive in the lower Chesapeake Bay at ambient microzooplankton prey levels (≈200 prey 1^?1) in the absence of predators. In growth experiments, larva mean growth rates to 10 d posthatch were similar (0.17 mm d^?1 and 0.18 mm d^?1) when fed at prey levels of 50 prey 1^?1 and 200 prey 1^?1. Individual growth rates, however, were more variable at 50 prey 1^?1. Mortality rates also were comparable in 50 (27% d^?1) and 200 (23% d^?1) prey 1^?1 enclosures. In a second experiment, the predation potentials of the hydromedusa Nemopsis bachei and the lobate ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi were estimated in relation to initial black drum egg prey density, presence of alternative <1 mm zooplankton prey, and estimated daily abundance of the jellyfish on the black drum spawning grounds. Mortality rates per medusa and ctenophore were similar (0.02–0.03 d^?1), were not affected by presence of alternative prey, and were directly related to initial egg density. Results suggest that the gelatinous predators, especially the hydromedusa, could have cleared a high (≈38%) but variable fraction of the water column daily of fish eggs and yolk-sac larvae during the black drum spawning season. We hypothesize that the poor or episodic recruitment success of black drum in Chesapeake Bay results from a short spawning season that often coincides with abundance peaks of gelatinous predators and that predation on eggs and yolk-sac larvae may control recruitment.     

Population ecology of the polychaeteNephtys incisa in Long Island sound and the effects of disturbance

The infaunal polychaeteNephtys incisa is a dominant constituent of soft-bottom communities in nearshore New England waters. This study quantifies its population ecology under natural conditions and following disturbance (dredge material disposal). Five stations in central Long Island Sound (SREF, 1000E, 400E, 200E and CNTR) representing a gradient of increasing exposure to disposed materials were sampled quarterly for 26 months between May 1982 and June 1984. Population abundances declined continually for 2 years (from approximately 1,500 to 200 individuals m^?2) following a peak of high recruitment. At CNTR, the population was decimated following disposal, and thereafter densities remained significantly below other stations. Population size-structure shifted from juvenile domination during the period of high abundance to adult domination as numbers declined. However, numbers of adults declined at 200E and CNTR following disturbance, relative to size-structure changes at other stations. Based on analyses of size-frequency distributions and tooth-rings in the jaws of individualN. incisa, eight cohorts (age-classes) were distinguished during the study period ranging from 3 months to 5 years in age. Growth was spatially and temporally variable; the average growth rate was approximately 15–20 mm (length) a year. Individual growth in most cohorts declined at 200E following disposal. Adults were reproductively active throughout the year, with two peaks in egg production, generally in the spring and fall. There were, however, spatial variations in the spawning cycle, which could influence larval recruitment. Results indicate that ambient population ofNephtys cicasa may go through several population “phases” resulting from temporal and spatial fluctuations in recruitment, individual growth and reproductive activity.Nephtys incisa's response to disturbance may depend on which phase the population is in at the time of disturbance (internal population conditions such as age/size structure) and factors external to the population (e.g., environmental influences on settlement and recruitment and/or the nature of the disturbance). Over 14 months of study, disposal of highly polluted dredge material had a negative impact on several population characteristics ofN. incisa at or near the disposal site (0 to 200 m away), but little or no effects on populations were detected 400 m to approximately 3 km away from the disposal area.     

Seasonal dynamics and production of the hydromedusan Clytia hemisphaerica (Hydromedusa: Leptomedusa) in Southampton water

In 1990 and 1991, a zooplankton sampling program revealed the presence of the hydromedusan Clytia hemisphaerica (Hydromedusa: Leptomedusa) from early May through late September throughout Southampton Water. The most notable aspects of the population dynamics of C. hemisphaerica in Southampton Water were the considerable interannual variation in peak abundance—10.65 m^?3 in 1990 and 2.44 m^?3 in 1991—and temporal patterns of mean bell diameter. The suggestion of almost continuous reproduction in 1990, as indicated by high abundance and large size range on each sampling date, is in contrast to 1991, where at the Cracknore site, five cohorts were produced at 21 d to 80 d intervals. The maximum bell diameter attained in each generation was typically 10–11 mm. At the Cracknore site in 1991, in situ bell diameter growth was linear within each cohort. A trend of increased growth rate with each subsequent cohort, from 26 μg DW d^?1 to 106 μg DW d^?1 was coincident with increasing water temperature. Annual production ranged from 0.98 mg C m^?3 yr^?1 to 1.08 mg C m^?3 yr^?1 in 1990 and 0.35 mg C m^?3 yr ^?1 to 0.48 mg C m^?3 yr^?1 in 1991. Daily P: B ratios varied in each cohort from 0.05 to 0.35.     

Larval production of the caridean shrimp,Crangon septemspinosa,in waters adjacent to Chesapeake Bay in relation to oceanographic conditions

Plankton samples of the MECCAS- (Microbial Exchanges and Coupling in Coastal Atlantic Systems) Project, taken in February, June, and August 1985 and April 1986, were analyzed to study the spatio-temporal distribution of sand shrimp, Crangon septemspinosa, larvae of Chesapeake Bay. With up to 250.9 larvae m^?3, results confirm C. septemspinosa as a very abundant decapod larval form in early spring in the study area. The overwhelming majority (94.5%) of the larvae occurred in April 1986; a second minor peak of larval production was observed in February 1985. The first two larval stages comprised 81.1% of the collected larvae, and complete series of all developmental stages including juveniles were obtained in June 1985 and April 1986. Newly hatched larvae occurred over a wide range of salinities (22.00–33.60‰), while more advanced forms were found mainly at higher salinities (>30‰). High larval abundances (>50 larvae m^?3) were obtained between 10°C; another considerably smaller peak in abundance occurred at temperatures ranging from 2.7°C to 4.5°C. Compared to other developmental stages, high abundances of the first two larval stages were collected at the highest chlorophyll concentrations. The significance of phytoplankton as a possible energy source for early stages of planktonic larvae and the role of phytoplankton as a possible chemical stimulus for larval release is discussed in terms of stomach and mouthpart structure and larval sensitivity to their chemical environment. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY066 00016     

Standing crops of marsh vegetation of two tributaries of Chesapeake Bay

A comparative study of the standing crop of marsh vegetation was made of the Patuxent River and Parker Creek, two tributaries of Chesapeake Bay. The biomass of marsh vegetation in the tidal freshwater and brackish regions of the Patuxent was relatively uniform with regard to salinity, seasonally high concentrations of dissolved nitrogen, and phosphorus and nutrient gradient. Maximum values of biomass occurred in the tidal freshwater and slightly brackish water region of Parker Creek, a system whose nutrient concentrations approximated 20% of those of Patuxent River. Biomass values for the Patuxent River and Parker Creek averaged about 1417 and 895 g m^?2 dry weight, respectively. Estimates of total annual marsh production based on the maximum standing crop was 27×10³ and 519 metric tons, respectively, for the Patuxent River and Parker Creek.     

Seasonal abundance and diversity of spiders in two intertidal marsh plant communities

The spiders of two Mississippi marsh communities were studied from January 1982 through March 1983. Monthly collections were made in two adjacent marsh plant zones dominated bySpartina cynosuroides (L.) Roth andJuncus roemerianus Scheele respectively. A total of 38 species of spiders (36 inSpartina, 33 inJuncus) representing 13 families were collected. The dominant species in theSpartina zone includedPirata mayaca Gertsch,Lycosa watsoni Gertsch (Lycosidae),Clubiona saltitans Emerton,Scotinella formica (Banks) (Clubionidae),Floricormus sp. (Linyphiidae),Dictyna sylvania Chamberlin & Ivie (Dictynidae),Paramaevia hobbsae (Barnes) (Salticidae), andAgelenopsis barrowsi Gertsch (Agelenidae). The dominant species in theJuncus zone includedLycosa watsoni, Pirata mayaca, Clubiona saltitans andSarinda hentzi (Banks) (Salticidae). Density, biomass, species richness and equitability peaked in May in theJuncus zone and in June in theSpartina zone. Peak levels of density and biomass corresponded to the reproductive activity of the common species, while diversity patterns were attributable to the reproductive activity of the less common species. Mean values of density and biomass over the study period were 84.8 spiders per m² and 155.6 mg per m² in theSpartina zone and 39.4 spiders per m² and 133.0 mg per m² inJuncus zone. The Juncus zone was flooded more frequently, contained less litter, and supported lower overall density and diversity of spiders.