Marine Biology Commons^™

An Annotated Key To The Mysidacea Of The North Central Gulf Of Mexico, Kenneth C. Stuck, Harriet M. Perry, Richard W. Heard

Gulf and Caribbean Research

An annotated key is provided to 17 species in 11 genera of the order Mysidacea from the north central Gulf of Mexico. All species are illustrated. The occurrence of Bowmaniella dissimilis is reviewed in light of Holmquist’s (1975) renaming of E. dissimilis sensu Brattegard (1970). Reports of several species of Metamysidopsis are discussed. The possible hybridization of two species of Taphromysis is considered.

Marine Fishes Of Panama As Related To The Canal, Gordon Gunter

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Recent papers by Eskinazi, compared to studies made on the Texas and Louisiana coasts 35 to 45 years ago and on the south Atlantic coast 15 years ago, show remarkable similarities of the estuarine fishes of northeastern Brazil and the northern Gulf of Mexico. Forty-five of 48 families of the two areas are in common and about 35% of the species are in common. On the west coast even greater correspondence might be expected between fishes of Peru and southern California, were it not for the restriction of tropical fishes by the Humboldt and California currents.

When the lithospheric plate …

Adaptation Of A Brown Water Culture Technique To The Mass Culture Of The Copepod Acartia Tonsa, John Ogle

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The use of bay water, filtered to 5 microns, was found to be sufficiently nutritious to sustain an average of 232,000 adult Acartia tonsa per m³. Copepods survived up to 24 days as adults and produced up to 75 nauplii per adult. Nauplii could be sieved to produce copepods of known age or known parentage. Survival of nauplii to adults ranged from 15 to 88%. Culture water varied from 6 to 28^oC in temperature, and from 1 to 26 ppt in salinity.

Diet Of The Periwinkle Littorina Irrorata In A Louisiana Salt Marsh, Steve K. Alexander

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The diet of the periwinkle Littorina irrorata was examined. The food substrate utilized most frequently in the field was dead Spartina alterniflora. The primary component of the stomach and feces was vascular plant particles. Plant particles, even though a major portion of the diet, were egested unaltered in feces. Other food substrates contributed significantly to the diet. Marsh sediment was utilized by 37% of all snails observed to be feeding, while 4% grazed on live S. alterniflora. Algal mats, present on several occasions during the study, were utilized extensively. Comparison of microbial components in dead S. alterniflora and …

Notes On Sea Beach Ecology. Food Sources On Sandy Beaches And Localized Diatom Blooms Bordering Gulf Beaches, Gordon Gunter

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Food production along sandy beaches is much different from that of rocky beaches. No large algae grow on sand beaches. Small filamentous green algae find footholds upon molluscs, mole crabs, strands of Leptogorgia and logs. Basic food along the sand beach is made up of diatoms, bacteria, unicellular algae and detritus; diatoms are probably the most abundant autotrophic organism; the beach bacteria are largely heterotrophic. Most food on sandy beaches comes from the sea. The sandy shore seems to be barren, but it swarms with plant and animal life. Food production has a seasonal aspect. Food strands more abundantly on …

A Study Of Four Oyster Reefs In Mississippi, John Ogle

Gulf and Caribbean Research

A study of four oyster populations in Mississippi over 13 months (May 1978-May 1979) indicates that although oysters are sexually developed during most of the year (10 months), setting was variable in intensity, dependent upon location, and limited in all cases to one or two months. Mortality was variable, dependent upon location and was attributed to high predation at one station and to harvesting and fresh water at the other stations studied. Suggestions for management are discussed.

Studies Of The Southern Oyster Borer, Thais Haemastoma, Gordon Gunter

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Original work was carried on at the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries Laboratory on Apalachicola Bay from August 1935 to April 1936. Since then observations have been made in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Five papers on specific aspects of the biology of the animal have been written since on this and other predatory gastropods. Here all commentaries are drawn together and unpublished matter is presented.

The name Thais haemastoma is used because separations based upon the rugosity of the shells do not hold up. Perfectly smooth and very rugose specimens are found in the same bays, with various shell characteristics being …

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.

First Record Of A Bloom Of Gonyaulax Monilata In Coastal Waters Of Mississippi, Harriet M. Perry, Kenneth C. Stuck, Harold D. Howse

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Data are presented on a bloom of the toxic dinoflagellate Gonyaulax monilata in coastal waters of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. This paper documents the first record of a bloom of this species in Mississippi Sound and adjacent Gulf of Mexico.

Records And Range Extensions Of Mycidacea From Coastal And Shelf Waters Of The Eastern Gulf Of Mexico, Kenneth C. Stuck, Harriet M. Perry, Richard W. Heard

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Records of seventeen species of Mysidacea from the Gulf of Mexico are presented. Bowmaniella portoricensis, Pseudomma sp., Siriella thompsonii and Bathymysis renoculata are recorded from the Gulf for the first time. Range extensions within the Gulf are established for Anchialina typica and Mysidopsis furca. Records of Brasilomysis castroi and Mysidopsis almyra from the Atlantic coast of the United States are reported.

Macrobenthos Of Simmons Bayou And An Adjoining Residential Canal, James T. Mcbee, Walter T. Brehm

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Species composition, abundance and seasonal variations of benthic macroinvertebrates in Simmons Bayou, Mississippi, and an adjoining dead-end canal were investigated from July 1976 through June 1977. Cluster analysis of the data summed over five stations indicated four major time periods: July, August-November, December-February, and March-June. Polychaetes and oligochaetes were most abundant in the winter and spring, amphipods in the summer, and chironomids in the spring. Temporal changes in abundance of polychaetes, oligochaetes, and chironomids appeared to reflect seasonal reproductive cycles. The peak in amphipod density corresponded with dense growths of Ruppia maritima. Within the dead-end canal, poor water quality …

Occurrence Of Microalgae In Southwestern Louisiana Coastal Salt Flats, Robert S. Maples, James C. Watson

Gulf and Caribbean Research

A descriptive analysis of the edaphic algal flora in salt flats along the coastline of southwestern Louisiana is provided. Six salt flats containing the angiosperm Salicornia were surveyed in November 1978, and April 1979, for microalgae. Seven genera of Chrysophycophyta, eleven genera of Cyanochloronta, and eighteen genera of the Chlorophycophyta were found. The most abundant alga was Oscillatoria (sensu Drouet). The most common green alga was Chlorosarcinopsis.

A Filamentous Bacterium On The Brine Shrimp And Its Control, Mobashir A. Solangi, Robin M. Overstreet, Ann L. Gannam

Gulf and Caribbean Research

A strain of a colorless, filamentous bacterium (tentatively identified as Leucothrix mucor) heavily infests the brine shrimp, Artemia salina. Its ultrastructure, unlike that of some other strains, does not reveal a distinct middle layer between its outer cell wall layer and cytoplasmic membrane, irregular blebs extending from the cell layers, or an external sheath. An entire infestation, represented as a mat of the bacterium with associated debris and microorganisms, sloughs from the shrimp when exposed to a variety of treatments. Primarily because most effective treatments are toxic to the shrimp, 100 ppm terramycin provides the treatment of choice.

Notes On The Genus Probythinella Thiele, 1928 (Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae) In The Coastal Waters Of The Northern Gulf Of Mexico And The Taxonomic Status Of Vioscalba Louisianae Morrison, 1965, Richard W. Heard

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The gastropod genus Probythinella Thiele, 1928, is considered a senior synonym of Vioscalba Morrison, 1965. Probythinella louisianae (Morrison, 1965) n. comb. tentatively is recognized as a valid species distinct from the closely related P. lacustris (Baker, 1928) and P. protera Pilsbry, 1953. The eastern range of P. louisianae is extended to Mobile Bay, Alabama. Limited observations on the habitat and reproduction of P. louisianae are reported.

A Bibliography Of The Rhizocephala (Crustacea: Cirripedia), Adrian R. Lawler, Steven L. Shepard

Gulf and Caribbean Research

A bibliography of parasitic barnacles of the suborder Rhizocephala, including 490 titles, is presented. Scientific works from 1787 to present are listed.

Procedures For Eradication Of Hydrozoan Pests In Closed-System Mysid Culture, Adrian R. Lawler, Steven L. Shepard

Gulf and Caribbean Research

An unidentified species of hydrozoan in the family Eirenidae was inadvertently transported to the Laboratory with a stock of Mysidopsis bahia. The hydrozoan competed for food, ate the young mysids, and subsequently reproduced extensively. Hermit crabs provided minimal control. A detailed transfer procedure for the mysids eliminated the hydrozoans from cultures; hydrozoans were eradicated from tanks after removal of mysids by using 1:1200 formalin, hot water, and Clorox.

Effects Of 1973 Floodwaters On Plankton Populations In Louisiana And Mississippi, Suzanne R. Hawes, Harriet M. Perry

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Studies to assess the impact of floodwater diversion on plankton populations in coastal waters of Mississippi and Louisiana were conducted from 23 April 1973 through 13 July 1973. Fixed stations in Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Borgne and western Mississippi Sound were sampled once in April, twice in May and June, and once in July. Stations in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana were visited once in May, June and July.

Data are presented on changes in the species composition of zooplankton subsequent to the opening of the Bonnet Card and Morganza floodways. The hydrographic conditions at the time of sampling are discussed.

Food Of The Atlantic Croaker, Micropogonias Undulatus, From Mississippi Sound And The Gulf Of Mexico, Robin M. Overstreet, Richard W. Heard

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The diet of the Atlantic croaker from Mississippi Sound has been examined for the first time. Over 83 taxa were encountered, or more than were reported from croaker in any other region. We also found 60 taxa, 36 of which overlapped with the above, in croaker from various offshore stations in the Gulf of Mexico. In Mississippi Sound the frequency of occurrence of items revealed primarily crustaceans followed by polychaetes, molluscs, fishes, and less common items, and, in the open Gulf, molluscs appeared slightly more often than in inshore croaker and than polychaetes in offshore fish. The diets were assessed …

Amphilochidae (Crustacea: Amphipoda) From The Western Gulf Of Mexico And Caribbean Sea, L.D. Mckinney

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Two new species of Amphilochus, Amphilochus casahoya and Amphilochus delacaya, and one new species of Gitanopsis, Gitanopsis laguna, are described. Relationships within these genera, particularly Amphilochus, are difficult to determine. The new species, however, are similar to some eastern Pacific forms. One known species, Amphilochus neapolitanus is also reported as occurring in both the Gulf and Caribbean.

Silica And Ash In The Salt Marsh Rush, Juncus Roemerianus, F.C. Lanning, Lionel N. Eleuterius

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Silica content of living rhizomes from the perennial salt marsh rush Juncus roemerianushad values of 0.34, 0.20, and 0.60% of dry weight in three morphologically distinct populations along the Mississippi coast and was directly related to available silica content of the soil (29.7, 17.0, 169.6 mg/100g soil, respectively). On the other hand, living leaves had about the same average silica content (0.93, 0.87, 0.9070 or dry weight). The silica content of living leaves varied from 0.142% in younger leaves to 1.520% in older ones. Similarly, rhizomes also increased in silica content with age, varying from 0.137% in younger portions …

Occurrence Of Mysidopsis Almyra Bowman, M. Bahia Molenock And Bowmaniella Brasiliensis Bacescu (Crustacea, Mysidacea) From The Eastern Coast Of Mexico, W. Wayne Price

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Three species of mysids, Mysidopsis almyra, M. bahia and Bowmaniella brasiliensis are recorded for the first time from four locations along the eastern coast of Mexico. Data on geographical distribution, population structure, length, brood size, and morphological variation are given.

New Hosts For Lymphocystis, Adrian W. Lawler, John T. Ogle, Chad Donnes

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Lymphocystis disease is reported for the first time from the Koran angelfish, Pomacanthus semicirculatus; the Moorish idol, Zanclus canescens; the foureye butterflyfish, Chaetodon capistratus; and the orbiculate bat fish, Platax orbicularis. Also, lymphocystis is reported the second time from the queen angelfish, Holacanthus ciliaris. All hosts are commercially important exotic aquarium fishes.

An Improved, Conceptually Simple Technique For Estimating The Productivity Of Marsh Vascular Flora, Courtney T. Hackney, Olga P. Hackney

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The estimation of the net primary productivity of marsh communities with a periodic maximum-minimum (PMM) technique has certain advantages over the long used maximum-minimum standing stock technique, but still retains the same conceptual simplicity. The final productivity estimate with PMM is based an the entire data set rather than just two points. Direct statistical comparisons between any two communities can be made. An estimate of the productivity by minor species in the community can also be made. The periodic model permits statistical comparisons about other variables in community growth such as the timing of the maximurn standing crop. With certain …

Geographical Definition Of Mississippi Sound, Charles K. Eleuterius

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Boundaries for Mississippi Sound are determined by application of definitions, established surveying practices and observations of the physical processes of the area. U.S. Coast and Gcodetic charts 1266 (1972 edition), 1267 (1972 edition) and 1268 (1974 edition) were used in ascertaining the boundaries. These boundaries provide a formal geographical definition for Mississippi Sound.

Classification Of Mississippi Sound As To Estuary Hydrological Type, Charles K. Eleuterius

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Mississippi Sound is classified as to estuary hydrological type by the method of Pritchard (1955). Differences in salinity between surface and near-bottom water were calculated from 2,401 pairs of observations made at 90 stations from 4 April 1973 to 12 April 1977. Frequency distribution tables, constructed by tallying the vertical salinity differences into three classes corresponding to three of Pritchard's estuary types (A, stratified; B, partially mixed; D, well mixed) were used to assess salinity structure of the water column. The greatest variation as to type occurred from January through June. From July through December, the water column becomes predominately …

Food Of The Red Drum, Sciaenops Ocellata, From Mississippi Sound, Robin M. Overstreet, Richard W. Heard

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Examined digestive tracts of the red drum in Mississippi Sound contained mostly decapod crustaceans. Crustaceans accounted for 34 of 59 encountered taxa, more than reported from any other region. Nevertheless, the general diet for 104 fish with food contents out of the 107 examined is similar to that reported for red drum in several other studies from other areas. In addition to crustaceans, fishes followed by polychaetes occurred as the most important items (in 99, 43, and 15% of the drum with food, respectively). Blue crabs occurred in even more drum than the frequently encountered penaeid shrimps. Other commercial species …

A Checklist Of The Ahermatypic Scleractinia Of The Gulf Of Mexico, With The Description Of A New Species, Stephen D. Cairns

Gulf and Caribbean Research

A brief chronology of discovery of the 54 ahermatypic Scleractinia known from the Gulf of Mexico is presented. Of this total, 6 are new records for the Gulf. A checklist is provided for all species indicating their Gulf distribution and their overall bathymetric range. One new species of Pourtalosmilia is described, which represents a new record for this genus in the western Atlantic.

Observations On Territoriality In Alligator Mississippiensis, The American Alligator, And Other Points Concerning Its Habits And Conservation, Gordon Gunter

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Reasons are given for believing that charging alligators are serious, especially at their nests and in group defense of the young, rather than going through a “ritualized bluff.” Observations are presented describing the actions of competing alligators and the establishment of territories between them in Mississippi brackish waters. Recent history has shown that alligators can live in natural streams and habitats close to human habitation, if they are not molested. The writer suggests that they should be removed from such environments when they attain a length of nine t o ten feet because at that size they become dangerous. If …

Larval Cestode Parasites Of Edible Mollusks Of The Northeastern Gulf Of Mexico, Edwin W. Cake Jr.

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Ten distinct species of larval cestodes were obtained from 43 edible, or potentially edible, benthic mollusks of the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Three of the infected mollusks, American oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin), Atlantic bay scallops, Argopecten irradians concentricus (Say), and sunray venus clams, Macrocallista nimbosa (Lightfoot), are important commercial species in the eastern Gulf and the remainder are occasionally eaten by epicurean shellfishermen or were consumed by prehistoric, aboriginal Indians of the Gulf coast. The cestodes represent four orders, seven families and nine recogized genera and include the trypanorhynchs, Euteirarhynchus sp. (of Cake 1975) and Parachristianella sp. (of Cake 1975), …

The Effect Of Depth On Survival And Growth Of Oysters In Suspension Culture From A Petroleum Platform Off The Texas Coast, John Ogle, Sammy M. Ray, W.J. Wardle

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The effect of depth on oysters in suspension culture from a petroleum platform off the Texas coast was monitored for 20 months. Growth and condition was similar for adult oysters cultured at five levels down to 8 m. Oysters had a growth rate of 1.2 mm (level 3) to 1.4 mm (level 1) per month,representing an increase in length of 94% to 150% for the 20 months. The condition was best in June 1973 after five months placement offshore (condition index of 14.8, 15.5, 14.7, 13.5 and 13.2 for levels 1 through 5, respectively). The condition was lowest in June …