Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1977

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Abstract

The invertebrate infauna of four Thalassia testudinum beds and adjacent open sand areas in northern Biscayne Bay, Florida, were sampled in July and December 1976. A total of 109 species, including 5804 individuals, were collected. Thalassia beds were found to harbor a denser and more diverse fauna than open sand sites. This may be attributed to increased food availability in the form of detrital Thalassia and concealment from predators provided by the plant blades. The most abundant species in the Thalassia beds included the polychaete Cirriformia filigera, the amphipod Lembos smithii, and the isopod Janira minuta. The most abundant species in the open sand areas were the polychaetes Exogone dispar and Hesionura elongata, and the isopod Xenanthura brevitelson. High within -site (grass or sand) faunal similarity values and low between-site similarity values indicate the presence of distinct communities associated with Thalassia and adjacent open sand areas.

Extent

77 p.

Comments

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1977.|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1977.

Identifier

FADT13884

Format

pdf

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