Life Sciences Commons^™

Stomatopod Crustaceans From The Carolinas And Georgia, Southeastern United States, Raymond B. Manning, Richard W. Heard

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Literature and specimen records are updated for stomatopod crustaceans known from the coasts of the Carolinas and Georgia. Gibbesia, new genus, is recognized for Squilla neglecta, and a new species, Neogonodactylus wennerae, is named for an offshore species of Neogonodactylus previously identified with the Caribbean shore species N. bredini. Fifteen species of stomatopods representing 12 genera are now known from the area: Bigelowina biminiensis (Bigelow), Cloridopsis dubia (Milne Edwards), Coronis scolopendra Latreille, Gibbesia neglecta (Gibbes), Heterosquilloides armata (Smith), Meiosquilla quadridens (Bigelow), Lysiosquilla scabricauda (Lamarck), Lysiosquillina glabriuscula (Lamarck), Nannosquilla carolinensis Manning, N. whitingi Camp & Manning, Neogonodactylus …

Observations On Extant Populations Of The Softshell Clam, Mya Arenaria Linné, 1758 (Bivalvia: Myidae), From Georgia (Usa) Estuarine Habitats, Erik Rasmussen, Richard W. Heard

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The softshell clam, Mya arenaria Linné, 1758, is reported from Georgia (USA) estuarine habitats based on studies conducted between 1969 and 1972. Observations on Georgia estuarine habitats where extant populations of softshell clams occurred are described. On several occasions, fresh shells with periostracum and tissue remnants were found in a brackish drainage system on Sapelo Island. These shells represent the first southern records of extant populations of softshell clams from such a specialized habitat type. Living specimens of M. arenaria from the benthos and specimens in the stomach contents of stingrays (Dasyatis sabina) were collected at four stations …

Gametogenic Cycle In The Non-Native Atlantic Surf Clam, Spisula Solidissima (Dillwyn, 1817), Cultured In The Coastal Waters Of Georgia, Christopher R. Spruck, Randal L. Walker, Mary L. Sweeney, Dorset H. Hurley

Gulf and Caribbean Research

This study describes the gametogenic cycle of the Atlantic surf clam, Spisula solidissima (Dillwyn, 1817), cultured from fall to spring in the coastal waters of Georgia, where it is non-native. Early active stages of gametogenic development began in November, with the majority (83%) of the animals in the early active stage by December. Gonadal indices increased to late active stages by March, with ripe individuals present in April. Spawning commenced in May and continued into June. Sex ratio (0.48 female to 1.00 male) was significantly unequal. Results of this study indicate that clams achieved sexual maturity and spawned when cultured …

Namalycastis Abiuma (Müller In Grube) 1871, An Aberrant Nereidid Polychaete Of A Georgia Salt Marsh Area And Its Faunal Associations, Erik Rasmussen

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The morphology of the aberrant nereidid Namalycastis abiuma, Namanereidinae is described on the basis of material collected 1971-72 and 1976 in the brackish water drainage ditch system of Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA. The systematics of the species is briefly reviewed. The habitat and ecological conditions under which the species lives in these brackish ditches are described.

At various times, N. abiuma lives out of water under the bark of trunks and branches of fallen trees. Decaying wood is ingested. It is suggested that future studies should concentrate on the reproductive biology of the widely spread, mainly tropical populations of what …

Growth And Production Of The Dwarf Surf Clam Mulinia Lateralis (Say 1822) In A Georgia Estuary, Randal L. Walker, Kenneth R. Tenore

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The bivalve Mulinia lateralis is a dominant member of estuarine benthos, but its presence and abundance in Georgia estuarine waters is sporadic over time. Recruitment and production was monitored from 1977 through 1981 at three inner and one outer more saline ( > 18 ppt) areas of Wassaw Sound. Until the winter of 1981, Mulinia lateralis was absent or at very low densities. Significant settlement occurred in January 1981 when densities in the outer sound reached as high as 63,000 individuals • m^-2). The clam was more abundant in sandy mud (x̄ = 10,161 • m^-2) than …

The Gastropod Thais Haemastoma In Georgia: T. H. Floridana Or T. H. Canaliculata?, Randal L. Walker

Gulf and Caribbean Research

In the southeastern United States, the snail Thais haemastoma has traditionally been subdivided into two subspecies according to the snail‘s locale, size of shell, number and size of spines, and depth of suture. Only Thais haemastoma floridana is supposed to occur in Georgia; since Thais haemastoma canaliculata is supposedly restricted to the Gulf of Mexico region. In Georgia, specimens fitting the description of both subspecies are common. The author concurs with the conclusions of Butler (1953) and Gunter (1979) in that the subspecies nomenclature is invalid and that they are merely ecological variants.

Larval Development Under Laboratory Conditions Of The Xanthid Mud Crab Eurytium Limosum (Say, 1818) (Brachyura: Xanthidae) From Georgia, Hiroshi Kurata, Richard W. Heard, Joel W. Martin

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Larvae of the xanthid mud crab Eurytium limosum were reared in the laboratory from hatching to first crab stage. Four zoeal stages and one megalops staged were obtained and are described. Complete larval development required about 15 days under culture conditions of 26.0° to 28.0°C and 25 ppt sea water. A long antenna and short antennal exopods consign E. limosum to the Group I xanthid zoeae of Rice (1980). The first stage zoea closely resembles that of Panopeus herbstii and is distinguished by having the dorsal spine strongly recurved at the extremity. Stages 2 to 4 are distinguished from Rhithropanopeus …