Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1976

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Abstract

The invertebrate epifauna associated with prop roots of a single strand of the red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle L., in Lake Surprise, Florida was sampled in May and November, 1975. A total of 108 species was collected. Dominant species included the amphipods Elasmopus pocillirnanus and Erichthonius brasiliensis, the polychaetes Syllis sp. and Vermiliopsis bermudensis, and the tanaidacean Apseudes propinquus. Fringe roots hosted greater numbers of species and individuals and a greater abundance of sponges and epiphytes than roots in the interior of the strand. The root community was characterized by three assemblages. The algae-amphipod- tanaidacean assemblage was prominent on fringe roots. The sponge-polychaete assemblage (excluding serpulids) was represented well in both areas, but was more prominent at the fringe. The bare root-serpulid assemblage dominated much of the interior. Overall mean qiversi ty (HS) and equitability (E) were 2.60 and 0.65 respectively. Faunal density was 13,200 ind/m^2 of root surface.

Extent

81 p.

Comments

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1976.|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1976.

Identifier

FADT13821

Format

pdf

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