A comparative study of the mollusc communities of two oligohaline intertidal marshes: Spatial and temporal distribution of abundance and biomass

Molluscs were collected monthly for a year from two low salinity (0–9‰) intertidal marshes dominated by the macrophytesJuncus roemerianus orSpartina cynosuroides in St. Louis Bay, Mississippi. TheJuncus marsh had lower soil organic matter, higher pH and was more frequently inundated than theSpartina marsh. Eight species of gastropods were abundant and dominated in the higherSpartina marsh, while three bivalve species were dominant in theJuncus marsh. Of the common species,Succinea ovalis, Vertigo ovata andDeroceras laeve are gastropods of terrestrial origins;Geukensia demissa granosissima (bivalve) andMelampus bidentatus (gastropod) are euryhaline estuarine species and the remaining gastropods (Detracia floridana, Littoridinops palustris, Onobops jacksoni) and bivalves (Polymesoda caroliniana, Cyrenoida floridana) are brackish species. Most species were capable of continuous recruitment (based on size class analysis), but exhibited peak activity in particular seasons. Bivalve abundance correlated to temperature, and gastropod abundance was negatively correlated to soil pH. These correlations reflect the influence of flooding regime at the two sites. Biomass was greater in theJuncus marsh because of the increased presence of the large-bodiedPolymesoda. Polymesoda represented >90% and >50% of the total biomass in theJuncus andSpartina (except summer) marshes respectively but always <-5% of the individuals collected. Gastropod biomass was the same in both marshes. Species diversity (H′) was greater inSpartina except for summer months. TheJuncus marsh always exhibited greater species richness. Evenness (J′) determined seasonal changes in diversity (H′). Similarity values (C_z) were always quite low, with highest values in spring In contrast to faunal studies from Gulf and East Coast salt marshes, we found 1) fewer species, 2) communities comprised of unique species combinations, 3) greatest mean densities in summer, and 4) potentially less productivity by the molluscs of our sites. These mollusc communities exhibit structural characteristics that emphasize the unique ecotonal nature of the oligohaline marshes within which they are found.