Life Sciences Commons^™

New Sandhoppers (Crustacea: Amphipoda) From The Gulf Coast Of The United States, E.L. Bousfield

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Three species of sand-burrowing semi-terrestrial amphipod crustaceans are newly described from sandy beaches of the North American coast of the Gulf of Mexico. They (and two related species from the open Atlantic coast of North America) are removed from the genus Talorchestia Dana 1853, and placed in a new genus, Americorchestia. Americorchestia salomani, new species, and A. heardi, new species, occur from northwestern Florida to the Mississippi Delta. They are morphological counterparts of the well-known sandhoppers from the open Atlantic coast, A. megalophthalma (Bate) and A. longicornis (Say) respectively. Americorchestia barbarae, new species, related to A. …

A Range Extension For Manayunkia Aestuarina (Bourne, 1883) (Polychaeta: Sabellidae) To The Gulf Coast Of The United States With A Review Of Previous Habitat Information, T. Dale Bishop

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The sabellid polychaete Manayunkia aestuarina (Bourne, 1883) is reported for the first time from the Gulf coast of the United States and from a Juncus roemerianus marsh. Individuals were collected from a brackish J. roemerianus marsh in St. Louis Bay, Mississippi, (30^o22'N, 89^o15'W) during the period of June 1979 to May 1980. Adults with eggs were first noted in early January and increased in number through May. Brooded young were observed from late January through May. Habitat comparisons are made between this and other North American and European populations. The present population is associated with lower …

Observations On The Food And Food Habits Of Clapper Rails (Rallus Longirostris Boddaert) From Tidal Marshes Along The East And Gulf Coasts Of The United States, Richard W. Heard

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The feeding habits of five nominal subspecies of clapper rails (Rallus longirostris Boddaert) collected in tidal marshes along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of the United States are compared. Data on the food from the stomachs of 183 rails were analyzed and the earlier literature critically reviewed. During the warmer months (May through early fall), crabs, predominantly Uca spp., comprised the major part of the food items found. Limited data on a few rails collected during late fall and winter, when Uca spp. are not usually available, indicate that snails then become a major part of the clapper rail’s …

Localized Plankton Blooms And Jubilees On The Gulf Coast, Gordon Gunter, Charles H. Lyles

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The writers describe various small types of plankton blooms such as those occurring in boat slips, the head of a large bayou and a strip type bloom of Chaetoceras on the Gulf beach. Oyster kills from “poison water” draining off of marshes are said to be caused by plankton bloom. Small “jubilees” are said to be caused by localized blooms and one of these is described as it occurred.

The Status Of Seals In The Gulf Of Mexico With A Record Of Feral Otariid Seals Off The United States Gulf Coast, Gordon Gunter

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The only seal native to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean area is the West Indian seal (family Phocidae). It is tan on the upper surface and a yellowish white underneath. It is now extinct or nearly so. Two seals were reported in Louisiana near the mouth of the Mississippi in January 1966. Photographs of one animal taken from a helicopter showed an otariid seal. In late June a light colored otariid seal began to reside on the buoys of the ship channel leading into Mobile Bay. It stayed there about two and a half weeks. The animal was …

A Supplement To The Fauna And Flora Of Horn Island, Mississippi, E. Avery Richmond

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Since the publication of “The Fauna and Flora of Horn Island, Mississippi’’ (Richmond 1962) search for unrecorded species present on this island, or in the waters surrounding it, has been continuing by myself and others. The premise that all of the plants and animals living in a given area can never be located completely is naturally well-founded. However, it seems advisable to continue the search for unlisted species of Horn Island.

Many unrecorded specimens have been collected and it seems proper at this time to make a supplementary list available to the public, particularly those interested in fields of science …

The Fauna And Flora Of Horn Island, Mississippi, E. Avery Richmond

Gulf and Caribbean Research

From 26 February 1944 until 4 February 1945, I was stationed with the U. S. Army on Horn Island, Mississippi, and decided to observe and record the animals and plants existing there. At the time, it seemed that little attention had been devoted to the wildlife of this island, but eventually it became apparent that some studies had been made. However, many of the observations have not been published and many of the records of the flora and fauna living on and around the island are scattered and unavailable. The most outstanding papers include those of Lloyd and Tracy (1901), …