Life Sciences Commons^™

Biozonation Of Deep-Water Lithoherms And Associated Hardgrounds In The Northeastern Straits Of Florida, Charles G. Messing, A. Conrad Neumann, Judith C. Lang

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Elongated carbonate mounds ("lithoherms") oriented parallel to prevailing northerly bottom currents at moderate depths (500-700 m) along the western margin of the Little Bahama Bank exhibit a consistent faunal zonation characterized by attached, suspension-feeding invertebrates. The four most abundant macroepibenthic groups (alcyonarians, crinoids, sponges and stylasterid hydrocorals) dominate all hard substrates examined except upcurrent ends and crests of lithoherms. We recognize three faunal zones on these mounds: a Coral Zone (Lophelia prolifera) restricted to the upcurrent end; a Zoanthid Zone (?Gerardia sp.) along upcurrent crests, and a Crinoid/Alcyonarian Zone along lithoherm flanks and downstream crests. Taxa characteristic of the latter …

Survey And Reconnaissance Of Sea Turtles In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Larry Ogren

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

This is a report on the results of an aerial survey of nesting beaches conducted during the period from May 16, 1977 to August 11, 1977. The area covered included the barrier beaches and offshore islands from the Florida-Alabama state line to the Rio Grande, Texas. Additional historical information is provided in order to compare current nesting activity with previous years as well as anecdotal observations on the occurrence of sea turtles in this region.

Soil Erosion, Agrichemicals And Water Quality: A Need For A New Conservation Ethic?, Christine Olsenius

Water Quality Control: Integrating Beneficial Use and Environmental Protection (Summer Conference, June 1-3)

24 pages.

Contains references.

The Effects Of Siltation On Recruitment Of Spiny Lobsters, Panulirus Argus, William F. Herrnkind, Mark J. Butler, Richard A. Tankersley

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Fewer juvenile pinry lobsters were found in areas of the Florida Keys where their primary habitat was heavily silted as compared with similar, less silted habitat. Several hypotheses explaining this relationship were tested, and the time-to-metamorphosis was compared for settling pueruli within silted and nonsilted algae stands. Limited postlarval settlement and avoidance of silted algal habitats by juveniles, probably accounts for the paucity of young lobsters in heavily silted sites. In addition, although juvenile lobsters are nonselective predators, lower prey availability in silted algae probably promotes transciency which, in turn, causes increased mortality by predation while juveniles are exposed.

Elevated Levels Of Microbial Activity In The Coral Surface Microlayer, John H. Paul, Mary F. Deflaun, Wade H. Jeffrey

Marine Science Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Restoring The Biological Integrity Of Everglades National Park, Estus D. Whitfield

External Development Affecting the National Parks: Preserving "The Best Idea We Ever Had" (September 14-16)

29 pages.

Contains references.

Agenda: External Development Affecting The National Parks: Preserving "The Best Idea We Ever Had", University Of Colorado Boulder. Natural Resources Law Center

External Development Affecting the National Parks: Preserving "The Best Idea We Ever Had" (September 14-16)

Conference organizers and/or faculty included University of Colorado School of Law professors Lawrence J. MacDonnell and Daniel Magraw.

The conference will be held at the Aspen Lodge, adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park, Colorado.

It was Wallace Stegner who called the national parks "the best idea we ever had." The continuing increases in usage attest to their popularity. National parks are created to preserve areas of special scenic and cultural value for enjoyment and use. Managing the parks in a manner that protects the important values and purposes for which they were created presents important and difficult …

The Use Of The Scanning Electron Microscope In Studying The Heat Treatment Of Prehistoric Lithic Artifacts From The North Florida Weeden Island Period Mckeithen Site, G. Michael Johnson

Scanning Electron Microscopy

In this paper, I discuss a study in which I attempted to determine whether or not the inhabitants of the McKeithen site, a Weeden Island Period mound and village complex in what is today northern Florida, employed heat treatment as part of their lithic reduction technology, and if so, at what point in the reduction sequence it was conducted. I used a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to photograph raw and heat treated control samples of northern Florida chert, then debitage and tools of chert and silicified coral from the McKeithen site which represented the range of colors and luster present …

Spatial Influences On Temporal Variations In Leaf Growth And Chemical Composition Of Thalassia Testudinum Banks Ex König In Tampa Bay, Florida, Michael J. Durako, Mark D. Moffler

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The importance of spatial influences on seasonal fluctuations in Thalassia testudinum leaf blade lengths and chemical constituents was demonstrated. Differences between samples from fringe and mid-bed for several constituents were significant and, if not accounted for, could affect the measurement of apparent seasonal cycles. Fringe-shoots, reflecting the influence of more intense grazing activity, had shorter leaf blade lengths, lower dry weights and carbohydrate levels, and higher protein levels than mid-bed shoots. Mid-bed rhizomes and roots had highest protein and ash levels reflecting possible sediment influence. Percent ash and protein in the rhizomes, and percent carbohydrate in the roots exhibited seasonal …

Attentiveness And Time Budget Of A Pair Of Nesting Wood Storks, E. Scott Clark

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

An instantaneous sampling system was used to quantify nest attentiveness and time budget of a pair of Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) nesting at the Moore Creek colony on Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in 1977. The amount of time devoted to various activities during each stage of the 4-month reproductive cycle was examined and differences between stages evaluated. During the incubation period an adult was constantly at the nest site and the birds shared equally in the incubation duties. During the first four weeks of the 8-week pre-flight nestling stage, an adult was with the chicks continuously, although the adults …

Population Dynamics Of Small Mammals In Two Plant Communities Of The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Jeffrey A. Goldberg

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Small Mammal Population Dynamics And Community Structure In Three East Central Florida Communities, Mary Helen Keim

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Small mammal population dynamics and community structure were studied in three East Central Florida communities. The communities were compared as distinct stages of a sand pine scrub sere. The small mammals live-trapped with greatest frequency in this 3852 trap-night study were all cricetine rodents, Peromyscus polionotus niveiventris (beach mouse), Sigmodon hispidus littoralis (cotton rat), and Peromyscus gossypinus palmarius (cotton mouse). Population numbers, survival, body weights, hind foot lengths, age structure, sex ratios, reproductive cycles, and movements were discussed for each of three species mentioned. These data will serve as a baseline information for ecological monitoring studies associated with NASA Space …

The Reproductive Biology Of The Diamondback Terrapin, Malaclemys Terrapin Tequesta, Richard A. Seigel

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The reproductive biology of the Florida east coast terrapin, Malalemys terrapin tequesta was studied during 1977-1978 at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Brevard County, Florida. Mating occurred in small canals and ditches during late march and April. Terrapins exhibited a poorly developed courtship behavior system: this was attributed to the relative isolation of the species due to its brackish water habitat. Nesting occurred on dike roads, rather than on sand dunes as reported for other races of Malaclemys. Air temperature was the most important factor controlling nesting activity. One to three clutches were laid each year. Malaclemys appeared to …

The Population Dynamics And Distribution Of Corbicula Manilensis (Philippi) In A Spring-Fed Central Florida Stream, Peter K. Gottfried

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Asiatic clams (Corbicula manilensis Philippi) were sampled at twelve stations randomly located along a 16-km stretch of the Wekiva River, Florida, every three months fro August 1976 to June 1977. Clams were found at most stations. Their abundance ranged from 4 to 1210 per m2. Mean numbers of Corbicula were highest at stations where the bottom sediments were primarily sand and lowest at stations where the bottom sediments were silt and decomposing organic matter. A linear relationship between water temperature, water depth, current velocity, total alkalinity, and pH, and the abundance and distribution of Corbicula was not evident. Seasonally, the …

Zooplankton Of The St. Johns River Estuary, Frederick C. Tone

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Zooplankton populations in the St. Johns River Estuary ranged from 3,000/m3 to 20,000/m3 during monthly collections from September, 1973 to August, 1974. Acartia tonsa Dana was the dominant organism throughout the year, except for spring blooms of Balanus sp. nauplii in the lower estuary and summer occurrences of Eubosmin tubins in the upper estuary. With these two exceptions, species composition, and community structure were similar throughout the estuary, year round. A patchy distribution of the zooplankton caused high replicate sample variation which made it difficult to detect small population variations. Salinity appeared to have the greatest effect on the distribution …

Arthropod Community Dynamics In Three Ruderal Old Fields With Possible Effects Of Solid Rocket Fuel Exhaust, Russell D. Caldwell

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Arthropods were collected at three sites on the Canaveral Peninsula of the east central Florida coast, from May until November, 1975. These sites were old fields dominated by grasses and herbs and one of them (site 1) was located near Launch Complex 41, Kennedy Space Center. A modified drop-trap of 0.5 m2 was used to trap arthropods at approximately 14-day intervals. A vacuum collector removed the arthropods and loose material which was visually inspected for arthropods by the unaided eye and a 7X dissecting scope. A total of 12,296 arthropods was collected during the study. Insects were by far the …

Zooplankton Abundance And Diversity In Central Florida Grass Carp Ponds, Douglas Lee Fry

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The effect of the Asian grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.) and aquatic vegetation upon the zooplankton in four adjacent experimental ponds (0.139 ha each) was studied for one year. Zooplankton were collected with a newly designed shallow-water sampler. Pond 1 contained no aquatic vegetation. Ponds 2, 3, and 4 contained nine species of rooted aquatic plants. Grass carp were stocked into Pond 2 (65 per ha) and Pond 3 (611 per ha). Physicochemical parameters were similar among the ponds. Eighty-eight zooplankton species were enumerated. The abundance of zooplankton groups (Rotifera, Cladocera, and Copepoda) was not significantly different among the ponds …

Net Primary Production Of Spartina And Species Diversity Of Associated Macroinvertebrates Of A Semi-Impounded Salt Marsh, Larry Alan Chynoweth

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Discovery Of The Carolina Marsh Clam, Polymesoda Caroliniana (Bosc), A Supposed Florida Disjunct Species, In Everglades National Park, Florida, D.C. Tabb, D.R. Moore

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The presence of disjunct species of animals on either side of the Florida peninsula has been reported by a number of authors. The littorinid mollusk, Littorina irrorata Say, which has a range from Massachusetts to the Rio Grande of Texas, except for south Florida, is one such species (Bequaert 1943). The marsh crab, Sesarma cinereum (Bosc), is another example of an animal with a distribution from Virginia to the western Gulf of Campeche except for a break in southern Florida (Rathbun, 1918). Williams (1965) lists 23 species of crustaceans having interrupted distribution at the Florida peninsula. This report on discovery …

Effects Of Abatement Of Domestic Sewage Pollution On The Benthos, Volumes Of Zooplankton, And The Fouling Organisms Of Biscayne Bay, Florida, J. Kneeland Mcnulty

Studies in Tropical Oceanography

No abstract provided.

Oyster Abundance In Apalachicola Bay, Florida In Relation To Biotic Associations Influenced By Salinity And Other Factors, R.W. Menzel, N.C. Hulings, R.R. Hathaway

Gulf and Caribbean Research

From June 1955 through May 1957, stations on three oyster reefs were sampled quantitatively at intervals and all oysters and associated macroscopic organisms were recorded per unit area. Station I was a privately leased “natural” reef, consisting of higher places exposed at low water, with a salinity range of 22.7-36.6 o/oo and was fairly productive. Station II, depth ca. two meters, was the least saline, range 1.2-29.3 o/oo, and was considered very productive for natural reef. Station III, depth one meter, salinity range 7.5-35.7 o/oo, was depleted although there was an abundant spatfall.

Depth and bottom types as well as …

A Biological Investigation Of The Caloosahatchee Estuary Of Florida, Gordon Gunter, Gordon E. Hall

Gulf and Caribbean Research

A biological sampling program in the lower Caloosahatchee River and Estuary by District and consultant biologists was authorized by the Office, Chief of Engineers on 7 May 1957. This survey of the effects of Lake Okeechobee discharge and local runoff through the Caloosahatchee River on the fishes and animals of this Gulf estuary was a continuation of a previously authorized study of Lake releases to the Atlantic Coast (Gunter, 1959).

Scope and purpose of this work was to: (a) Review the history of the Caloosahatchee River and analyze the problems concerned with discharges into the Estuary; (b) present biological data …

Biological Investigations Of The St. Lucie Estuary (Florida) In Connection With Lake Okeechobee Discharges Through The St. Lucie Canal, Gordon Gunter, Gordon E. Hall

Gulf and Caribbean Research

A survey of the turbidity, salinity and sediment effects of St. Lucie Canal discharge into the St. Lucie Estuary was authorized by the Chief of Engineers on May 9, 1955. Expansion of that program to include the work of the present biological investigation was authorized by the Chief of Engineers on June 12, 1956.

The scope and purpose of this biological work was to: (a) review the history of the St. Lucie Canal and analyze the problems concerned with discharges of fresh water into the St. Lucie Estuary: (b) present biological data from a 2-year investigation of estuarine conditions, January …

Some Digenetic Trematodes From Deep-Water Fish Of Tortugas, Florida, Harold W. Manter

Harold W. Manter Laboratory: Library Materials

Introduction (first two paragraphs)

The parasitic fauna of ocean depths is practically unknown. Although an extensive fish population occurs at all depths, very little study has yet been made on the helminths of these fish. During the summers of 1930, 1931, and 1932 excellent opportunity was offered for the collection of parasites from fish trawled from depths varying from 40 to 582 fathoms at Tortugas, Florida. A considerable number of systematic hauls by the staff and crew of the Tortugas Biological Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution of Washington yielded an abundance and considerable variety of fish, some of rare forms, …