Nav:HOME ---- Fish Biology and Ecology ---- A Qualitative Description of Marine Ecosystem Observations and Collections for St Joe and Big Pine Key Regions (YOU ARE HERE)
Latest Reports | Fishing Articles | Fishing Tactics | Fish Ecology and Biology | Travel Articles | Fishy Fun | External Links | Shopping | HOME
by Bryce L. Meyer
A key crux of scientific understanding and learning is the basic observation of natural phenomena. While strictly academic work using previous documentation, or in lab work using previously captured specimens can provide great insight for many areas of biology, nothing can truly substitute for direct field experience when examining ecology, especially marine species and their interactions. The multitude of variables the sea inflicts upon its occupants are impossible to duplicate in true fidelity in the lab, and the overall aesthetics of immersion in this ‘soup of life’ are a great motivator for learning. While quantitative work provides the hard basis for the understanding of facts, qualitative observation and collection provides a broad understanding that can hint at future opportunities for exploration, and provide a solid basis for science education. It was in the qualitative exploratory vain that the Marine Sciences Lab 30 May-8 June was conducted, and as a result, this report will detail the methods and locations used for an examination of the two areas and associated marine habitats, the species observed and collected, their implied ecosystems, and a general comparison of the ecosystems observed considering the physical forces at work.
Basic methodology for this effort included in environment observations, collections, and captive observation of collections, followed by note-taking and photographic documentation. The observations were performed informally, followed by identification and later reflection. In environment observation methods included snorkeling and free diving in shallow to deep habitats, wading in shallow habitats, and from shore/in-boat observations from above the surface using both naked eye and polarized sunglasses. Snorkeling and free diving photography were conducted using an Aquapac® encased Olympus C7000 7MP digital camera, and multiple Kodak and Canon disposable underwater cameras. Shoreline, boat, and wading photography were conducted using the aforementioned digital cameras, and a wide range of film cameras and digital cameras. These trips also largely involved manual collections, with the exception of Looe Key Marine Preserve.
In addition to manual collections during in-environment observation as described above, multiple nets other methods were used to provide specimens for observation as in Figure #1. Note that all collections were limited by both the nature of the collections permit, and the limitations on collection using a sport fishing license (for areas not covered by collection permit). The loosest of these methods was very limited use of sports fishing gear to collect specimens too large for other methods, though the results were limited due to time allotted for this gear, and due to the limited feeding by some species. Another loose collection method, but one that provided more specimens, was the 6’ diameter 3/8” mesh monofilament cast net, which when combined with bread to concentrate fishes, provided a very quick method to capture 1”-4” fishes. Both the range of the rope limits this method, skills of the caster, and by the speed and schooling of the target species. A second method is using the fine mesh one-foot wide hand net, which again is skill limiting, but provides a method for scooping very small organisms larger than coarse mesh plankton. A third netting method used for slower and much smaller specimens was the 2-poll walking seine (note: see figure #1 for diagrams of collection equipment), which captures specimens down to ¼” in diameter, and when used in shallow water can provide a good swath of life forms larger than ¼” diameter, yet slower than the seine’s walkers. The seine is deployed between two or more walkers who stretch the seine between them using the poles, and drag the seine through the water over the bottom. A better method for slightly swifter organisms in deeper water was the trawl. A “otter” or “shrimp” trawl uses a purse shaped net, held open while being towed by boat using weighted boards on the bottom, floats on the top, and two otter boards, one otter board planes right, the other board planes left. Due to the ¾” mesh size and 2-5mph speed limit using inflatable tow boat it again is not able to capture larger swift organisms, but can be used to collected deeper than the seine, and catch slightly faster fishes than the seine, while allowing a larger coverage area since it is boat towed. A further limitation of the trawl is that due to it’s larger mesh size it does not collect many shrimps. Two more nets were used for collection: a coarse mesh plankton net, and a fine mesh plankton net (~20 cm diameter each). These nets provide collection capability for all but the smallest “net” plankton types, and are either pulled by boat or by hand through the collection area. A final method of collection, used rarely, was the 5-gallon bucket, which could scoop slow or sessile organisms and the surrounding waters (which can contain sheltering or interacting organisms). Other equipment used included a refractometer for salinity measurement, and set of sieves for substrate grain measurement.
Once specimens are collected using either manual or other collection methods, they were observed in captivity. Larger fishes, mollusks, and other animals and plants were accommodated in either of two 25-gallon thermoplastic tubs, or in a 10-gallon glass aquarium. All three containers were aerated using a 120 VAC aerator, air stones, and gang hose tree. Smaller organisms or portions of organisms were placed in watch glasses, which could then be placed under a microscope. The microscope was a 6x to 50x binocular model, with multiple lighting angles, and with a monocular VGA web cam attached to a laptop for image and video capture. Again, digital cameras were used for documentation using both far-field, and near-field settings. Specimens capable of survival for short-term captivity such as the fishes, crustaceans, sponges, and mollusks were observed over a period of 24 to 72 hours to document behavior, associations, and form.
Collection Locations and Dates
Two primary bases of operation (i.e. camp sites) were used on this trip: Panama City Beach (PCB) and Big Pine Key (BPK). See figures #2-#5 for maps and tables of areas and sites. The PCB camp site was located at site #88, St. Andrews State Park, Panama City Beach, Florida, and faced St. Andrews Bay, which drains into the northern Gulf of Mexico, and was occupied from 30 May to 3 June 2005. Weather consisted of daytime highs of 88OF with 90% humidity to nighttime lows of 75OF, with consistent thunderstorm and shower activity and a consistent 10-15 mph onshore (south) breeze, water temps ranged between 76-78OF on the Gulf to 76OF-82OF in the Bay (depending on wind and rain). This base (see figure #2 for surrounding locations, figure #6 for a picture of the camp site waters) provided access to a nearby shallow turtle grass and spartina bed, deep mud and sand bottom, a deep grass bed behind Shell Island, granite and limestone hard substrate of the West Jetties of St. Andrews Pass (See figure #7), a white sand high-energy beach, and a marsh bounded freshwater lake. Manual collections via snorkeling and wading were conducted at shallow grass beds (morning and afternoon), the West Jetty on the lagoon facing side (morning), in the Bay directly in front of the camp site (morning), and at the high energy beach near the Park’s fishing pier (morning). Heavy surf and limited visibility lowered observation and collection efficiencies at the beach and jetty locations. Seine collections were taken at the shallow grass bed. Hand Dip Net collections at night using flashlights were taken at the campsite. Fishing gear collections occurred at the campsite itself, and the West Jetty, though only for ~7 hours total, mostly at night. Cast net collection was only conducted at the campsite morning and afternoon for the duration of camping. Plankton net samples were taken in St. Andrews bay near the campsite near the marked navigation channel by boat in late afternoon, and by hand at the high energy beach in the morning. The trawl was used over the deep grass bed behind Shell Island in the afternoon. In addition to collections, sieve measurements were taken of the sands at the high-energy beach just below tide level, and multiple refractometer measurements were taken between St. George’s Island and the campsite, though many of the salinity measurements are unreliable due to poor calibration of the refractometer. Observations were made at all the nearby PCB sites shown above including a night and day observation of the freshwater marsh, and also briefly at St. George’s Island (SGI- a cord grass brackish water estuary habitat, on the east side of Apalachicola River).
Big Pine Key (BPK) Fishing Lodge campsites #81 and #82 provided a second base of operations from 4 June to 8 June (See figure #3). Weather was mostly sunny, with a 5-10mph south breeze and 80OF to 88OF air temperatures, water temperatures near 83OF, a few isolated light showers each night, and humidity between 70% and 90%. BPK provided access to a small boat harbor, Atlantic Ocean side hard substrate grass and coral intertidal flats at Missouri Key, soft substrate intertidal flats at Little Duck Key, shallow grass beds on soft bottom in front of the campsite (See Figure #13), shallow coral in front of the campsite, red mangrove roots in Spanish Harbor, bridge supports of the Old Keys Bridge which divide the Gulf of Mexico (Spanish Harbor) from the Atlantic Ocean (Hawk Channel), deeper grass near No Name Key, and deep shelf patch reefs in 4 feet to 35 feet at Looe Key Marine Preserve and surroundings. In addition to surface observations at all of the above sites, and campsite collections, snorkeling collections and observations were performed at the following sites: shallow soft substrate and hard substrate areas near the campsite, mangrove roots of Spanish Harbor, Old Florida Bridge supports, Looe Key Marine Preserve shallow (4’-6’) and deep (25’-35’) locations. Wade collections and observations were taken at low tide on hard substrate at Missouri Key and soft substrate at Little Duck Key County Park, including limited slurp gun and spade collections. A trawl collection was performed on deeper grass (3’-6’) between BPK and No Name Key north of Spanish Harbor. A 5-gallon bucket collection of live Sargassum was performed offshore of BPK in Hawk Channel. No cast net or plankton net collections were taken at BPK.
(n.b. The accompanying CD has an image gallery of species observed collected at BPK and PCB. See also Figure #25 for species collected and locations, common names to scientific names, and Appendix 1 for a table of taxonomy for each species.)
Many large organisms were observed from the surface in proximity to the Bay, Gulf, and marsh waters at St. Andrews State Park, including multiple species of Egrets and Herons seen stalking prey (assumed to be the observed striped anchovies, mullet, pinfish, small mollusks, or small crabs—either the hermit or fiddler crabs, or the grass bed observed Blue Crab) either on the rocks of the campsite, largely by wading the edges of the water, or by securing (and defending loudly from other birds) an observation point within a beak poke above the surface. After a period of focus on the chosen prey, the beak is used to swiftly poke down under the surface to grab the prey typically from 1”-4” long. Joining the wading birds in morning and evening were thick schools of striped mullet from 4” to 12” in length and from 5 to 20+ individuals which fed by nosing down into the substrate of the shallow grass bed (PCB-GF) and in front of the camp site. Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins were observed on a few occasions to circle around these mullet schools and take turns diving trough the concentrated school to feed on the mullet in the 6 foot deep or less waters. Schools of juvenile menhaden, silversides, and anchovies swam in close schools near structure or over the grass, and were slashed regularly by 8”-10” bluefish and 10”-12” Spanish mackerel. Brown Pelicans also dove into the schools of these smaller fishes to scoop them in their bills. The Spartina on the edge of the turtle grass flat (including a canoe on the shoreline) were dotted heavily with white ½” Marsh Intertidal Snails (Littorina) from the waterline to 2 feet above the waterline (as is typical for this species). Gator Lake at the center of the St. Andrews peninsula (a short walk from the campsite) had roosts of Great Blue Herons and Snowy Egrets (each roost segregated by species, the Blue Herons on trees on the island in the center of the lake, the Egrets occupying trees on the north shore), and a single observed nocturnal Alligator. A few ospreys were observed perched in to tops of tall pines or oaks, on telephone poles, presumably looking for their choice 10”-15” surface prey fish (likely mullet) to dive upon and grab via talon. Over the beach and jetty areas (PCB-B, PCB-WJ) Frigate Birds were observed soaring at 50’-100’+ altitudes, likely looking for a meal to steal from the numerous Gulls. Redfish were seen tailing in the bay near the campsite for crustaceans and crabs (blue crabs, Mithrax crabs, grass and pink shrimp) and were likewise caught on live brown shrimp by a few observed anglers. Near the jetties (PCB-WJ) many schools of 1”-3” Atlantic Croakers and Pinfish cruised and fed in the area flooded by each wave in the lagoon. A few anglers caught Ladyfish in the same lagoon. These Ladyfish likely were feeding on fishes and crustaceans wash free of the submerged portion of the jetty and on the numerous Pinfish and Croakers.
Snorkeling manual collections and net collections over the species rich Turtle Grass flats near the campsite (PCB-GF) or behind shell island (PCB-SI) produced a large variety of species for examinations, most as expected for a shallow grass flat in a saline bay such as St. Andrews. Shellfish included Bay Scallops, a large Pen Shell, Periwinkles, Blood Arks, a Slender Chiton (attached to a soda can along with a Reticulated Brittle Star), Horse Mussels (Modiolus), Oysters, Mud Snails, Helmet Snails, Tulip shells, Turban snails, Queen Conch, Crown Conch, and Venus Clams. Two types of gastropod egg cases were also found: one with a popcorn consistency, and one with a repeating line of scale-like plates (moon snail?). Crustaceans captured included grass and pink shrimp, multiple Hermit Crab species, a Spider Crab, a Florida Stone Crab, Amphipods, a and Mud Crab (Green Clinging Crab most likely). Echinoderms collected included the aforementioned Reticulated Brittle Star and orange Conical Spined Sea Stars. A Sea Squirt colony (likely Striped Tunicate Styela) was attached to a sunken tree branch and placed in the aquarium, and an addition Sea Squirt was captured in the trawl at site PCB-SI. Fishes netted by seine over this grass included Pinfish, Pipefish, Atlantic Silversides, and Striped Anchovies. Additional fish species captured by trawl over the slightly deeper Turtle Grass Beds behind Shell Island (PCB-SI) included the Pigfish, Slippery Dick, many Planehead Filefish, and a Striped Burrfish (a Porcupine fish which puffs up when frightened). The Pigfish, Pinfish, and Burrfish hide in the grass bed from larger predators (Hardhead Sea Catfish-captured at night from camp on fishing gear, Red and Black Drum, Speckled Trout, Jack Crevalle, etc.) and prospect among the rhizomes for shrimps, polychaete worms, small mollusks, and careless anchovies and silversides. These fishes also will quickly pick flesh from dead animals and live sponges. The Slippery Dick has similar feeding habits at night, but like most wrasses, has a hole in the substrate to wriggle into backwards to avoid predators, and to spring from in ambush during the day. The shrimps and crabs that inhabit the grass are also largely nocturnal, capitalizing on detritus, dead animals, the grass itself, small gastropods and mussels, and zooplankton at night, and hiding in burrows and under fallen stems during the day. The Grass shrimps, and Pipefish use camouflage as daytime cover, hiding among and on the blades of the Turtle Grass itself. Scallops have their own swimming mechanism to escape once touched by a predator such as a starfish, moon snail, or tulip snail, in addition to the scallops hard shell and ever-vigilant blue eyespots. Spider crabs also prowl the grass largely at night, poking for any organic material to consume. The current that washes a fertile Turtle Grass flat also brings plankton and debris to be filtered by large Pen Shells, other bivalves, colonizing hydrozoans (branched and un-branched—see figure #12), and Sea Squirts. The plankton observed after capture with both fine mesh and coarse mesh nets contained large numbers of swimming decapod larvae (around 90% of the plankton captured see figure #8), with a few microscopic nudibranchs (see Figure #10), medusoids, veligers, copepods, and worms included.
In contrast to the grass, the wave washed West Jetty (PCB-WJ) had species suited for open sand foraging or rock clinging and hiding, as seen during snorkeling. Warty Anemones (pictured then returned), Red Algae, Sea Lettuce, oysters, and acorn shaped barnacles, cling to the rocks of the jetty itself, while wrasses and small gobies (both observed) dart out from the rocks to snatch at small shrimps and disoriented small fishes. A few Long Spine Sea Urchins were observed, but not relocated for collection. They use their tube feet to march through the crevices of the rocks looking for algae to consume (many more of these were found in the Keys). Florida Stone Crabs use the larger rocks as daytime cover, and omnivorously devour fishes, shrimps, algae, detritus, and sponges encountered as they roam at night defended by a very thick shell (note: they will also grab a stray finger as a classmate discovered) from predatory Grey Snappers and Ladyfish (both reported by anglers). Juvenile Atlantic Croakers and small Pinfish which prowl the nearby-disturbed sands, hide well with silvery colors to blend into the white sands and to reflect side viewed images.
The highest energy habitat for collection and examination at St. Andrews was the wave smacked white sands of the beach on the Gulf near the Park’s Pier. A strong rip and low visibility due to a south wind hampered observation and collection with snorkel gear, but also washed in Blue Buttons (Porpida- see figure #11). These open water wandering cnidarians drift on the surface (note a small dead specimen was also captured at PCB-GF and consumed by captive pinfish in the aquarium) with a semi-rigid shell and pulsing electric blue tentacles armed with cnidocytes for capturing zooplankton. While very few sand crabs were observed, one was captured by a fellow beachgoer in a hand net. Sand Crabs (Sand Fleas, Emerita) are a key prey item for many Gulf beach fishes such as the observed Palometta, and absent Pompano and Gulf Kingfish, and birds such as the Sand Piper, Herons, and Gulls. These swift diggers live and feed in the area washed by the waves that hit the beach itself. Each wave pushes in water and stirs debris and plankton filtered by the Sand Crab. As the wave retreats, the Sand Crab quickly burrows into the settling sand to evade capture as the water fully recedes. Each wave brings a new feeding and burrowing opportunity. Like the Sand Crab, the Coquina (“bean clam”) must quickly burrow anew when dislodged from the sand by a wave, but it sits higher above wash zone and can filter the water above and in the sand for slightly longer periods before being dislodged. Numerous Coquinas were present and was easily captured using bare hands or by holding a mesh collection bag open in the water as a strong wave receded. Also like the Sand Crab, the Coquina is a dinner item for Least Sand Pipers who can use their long bills to extract them from their burrows and pop open the shells. Sand Fleas proper (the Amphipods similar to the Warf Roaches observed on the rocks at the campsite), and usually present but unobserved nocturnal Ghost Crabs also provide food for the Sand Pipers. Sieving of the sand confirmed the high-energy nature of the beach (the coarser the sand at the waters edge, the more current from waves is present, the larger the sand grains). Many shells washed in from the Bay and offshore were collected and pulverized by the wave action, usually collecting just behind the beach slapping waves on temporary points (with point breaks to a surfer) created by the wave action. These points funnel current due to the differential in wave break distances, and therefore aggregate beach debris such as shells and pieces of Sand Dollar. Multiple incomplete bits of sand dollars were found; though due to the wave action and lack of clarity, finding live (covered with green fuzz-like spines) specimens of this echinoderm sea urchin relative were difficult at this site. Plankton collections at the surf site yielded a similar composition to those of the bay but with fewer decapod larvae, and with the addition of Chaetonaths, larval clams (suspended with many sand grains in collection), Cladocerans, amphipods, and gastropod veligers (including a 4 lobed specimen dubbed “teddy bear” see figure #9).
A brief look at the habitat of St. George’s Island and surface observations of the Apalachicola system minutely elucidated a true estuarine system. The Apalachicola River empties large amounts of freshwater and nutrients into this shallow section of the Gulf of Mexico, creating a highly fertile habitat for a variety of commercially important species such as scallops, oysters, shrimp, and Blue Crabs. The river nutrients feed a cord grass community, which was observed to have large numbers of Speckled Trout and Redfish feeding near shore. Large numbers of mullet were also observed, and the waded area held many blue crabs and hermit crabs. Blue Herons were very present, as were many varieties of Sea Gulls. Lower water clarity and lower salinities (~20 using the un-calibrated refractometer) hinted at a fertile soup for phytoplankton, hence zooplankton such as veligers and larval decapods, and in turn healthy oysters and clams for which the region is well known. A more thorough study of this area is required before a clear habitat picture can be obtained, but from the surface it appears thick with estuarine life.
After a week of collecting and observing in the Florida Panhandle, our efforts were relocated to the Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge and surrounding region. Observations at the campsite included multiple non marine species (including the endangered Key Deer) as well as burrowing shoreline species such as the Great Land Crab and numerous land hermit crabs. Wading birds and sea birds were also present in wide varieties including the previously observed Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Frigate Birds, Brown Pelican, and Gulls. In addition to the birds seen at PCB, observations at BPK also included the Double Breasted Cormorant, the Great Heron, and Little Blue Heron. Cormorants were legion on top of the nearby remnants of the Old Keys Bridge and Old Keys Railway, and on power lines and bridge rails, scanning the water for schools of fishes. The Cormorant is a diving and swimming bird, which has filled bones (not hollow bones as for other birds), and after spotting a school of fish from the air, or often while swimming duck-like on the surface, will dive often to depths over 10 feet to capture their prey. The clear waters of the Keys facilitate the Cormorants visual feeding habits, and numerous species of fishes provide food. In addition to small Great Barracudas observed in the shallows near the campsite and over the nearby grass beds, numerous smaller Tarpon inhabited the boat harbors and canals, while larger specimens rolled in the early mornings and at night near the bridge supports of the Old Keys Bridge. The great Barracuda school as juveniles and seek less and less company and seeker deeper water as they grow to their 6 foot adult size. Great Barracudas are dart and grab predators that cruise looking for a weakened or slow fish, then very quickly dart forward to catch their prey. Needlefish and Houndfish (both observed) are a favorite prey of the Barracuda when in the grass beds, and in turn the slender Needlefish use their long jaws to capture the juvenile herrings, silversides, and anchovies that also inhabit the grass beds. A single juvenile (6’) West Indian Manatee was observed in the Lodge’s Boat Harbor. Manatees are herbivores that graze on the aptly named Manatee Grass, Turtle Grass, and other sea grasses, and in the summer are widely scattered throughout Florida on both coasts as they forage.
Due to the clear waters, and diverse fauna available at the BPK shallow grass beds and nearby shallow coral, many species were both observed, and manually collected during snorkeling the BPK-SG and BPK-SC sites. In addition to the vascular sea grasses, numerous green algal forms were present including the mermaid’s shaving brush (Penicillus) and Umbrella Algae (Acetabularia), along with branching Brown Algae, encrusting Red Algae, and much surface Sargassum (see figure #14) . Sponges were also widely available and collected, including Brown Sponges (Agelas), White Ball Sponges (Geodia), Orange Encrusting Sponges (Diplastrella), Antler and Loggerhead Sponges (Spheciospongia), and a Tube Sponge (Callyspongia). Sea Squirts/Tunicates were attached to any available surface not already covered by grass or algae, though sponges, algae, and tunicates can cover over hexacorals (see figure #15). Sea Fans and Sea Whips (Octocorals) were also present in the grass and in the shallow hard coral sites, while the hard Star Hexacorals such as Montasstraea covered some of the hard substrates, along with a few anemones. Many species of bivalves were collected at BPK-SG and -SC, including: a Pen Shell (possibly genus Pinna or Atrina ridgida ), Tiger Lucines (Codakia) , Isognomon Oysters, Mussels(Musculus lateralis et al.), Limpets (Diodora), Scallops (Argopectin), Conchs (Strombus), Neritidae and Turbinidae gastropods (Turbins), and Vermicularia gastropods. The Flame Scallop’s predator response was tested in the camp’s aquarium by touching it first with the non-threatening sea star which caused no response, then with a whelk( Busycon or Busycotypus likely) which caused the scallop to clap and swim. Long Spined Urchins, a Florida Sea Cucumber, and Sea Stars were found on at the BPK-SC site, accompanied by Starry Eyed crabs, multiple Sedentaria and Errata sea worms, Smooth Gooseneck Barnacles (attached to a floating board), and Astria snails. Hermit crabs utilized many varieties of gastropod shells and like the various collected Potunid crabs, they looked for a wide menu of edibles (see figure #22). Another omnivorous arthropod collected over the grass was the Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus), first as a molted shell, and later as a live specimen. Numerous fishes were observed including gray snappers, barracudas, and the smaller species previously seen from the surface. The Grey Snappers used the overhangs that bordered the grass bed and open white sand as ambush points for anchovies and herrings, hiding in the shadows to pounce and pursue the smaller fishes in packs of 1-4 individuals. In the nearby sand also lurked stingrays (Dasyatis), who hid just under the surface of the sand waiting for any injured or slow moving animal to venture near and to avoid being sighted by the large humans swimming overhead.
An examination of the floating Sargassum floating nearby BPK-SC and BPK-LDKGF revealed a Sargassum Nudibranch (Scyllaea pelagica) and Sargassum Swimming Crab (Portunus sayi). Both use the Sargassum for cover and to locate food, and both have camouflage to allow them to blend into the yellowish-brown Sargassum, and in the more open ocean an entire community uses the Sargassum including many shrimps, sponges, bryozoans, Jacks, Mahi-Mahi, Sargassum Fish, Filefish, Porcupinefish, and Triggerfish. Onshore winds drive the Sargassum inshore, where the large offshore mats (holding the larger fishes) and lines of mats break up into small clumps due to wave action and bring in their loads of organisms to the shallow flats. In confirmation, the 5-gallon bucket collection of Sargassum further offshore (near BPK-LK/BPK-PR) of these sites captured shrimp, bryozoans, Loggerhead Sponges, filefish, and Portunid crabs. By anecdote many anglers fishing around the offshore Sargassum mats landed numerous Mahi-Mahi, as expected.
A second microhabitat examined existed inside the sponges collected at BPK-SC and -SG. Pistol Shrimp (a.k.a Snapping shrimp -- Synalpheus and Alpheus) and polychaete symbiotes were discovered upon dissection of the white and branching sponges, and placed in watch glasses for examination. The pistol shrimp were very territorial, and upon the addition of a second shrimp to the watch glass snap load enough to be heard from 10 yards away ensued until they equidistanced themselves on the edge of the glass. A third pistol shrimp produced the same effect, each shrimp now at 120O angles in the circular watch glass, though they continued to snap at each other in an uneasy truce. Larger sponges in the wild host many sheltering animals including other shrimps, small fishes such as gobies and damselfishes, and many varieties of worms. The slow inflow and outflow of coenocyte-driven current may also bring food for the sponge’s residents. Later, when snorkeling with in 4 feet of the bridge walls at site BPK-BC, the loud popcorn sound of these defending pistol shrimp was very noticeable.
Life similar to the BPK-SC and BPK-SG submerged sites was found at the intertidal equivalents, BPK-MKCF and BPK-LDKGF. Low tide collections and observations at the hard substrate flats of Missouri Key (BPK-MKCF) yielded many of the same organisms found at BPK-SC, but in very accessible pools. In addition to numerous Long Spined Urchins, many Short Spined Urchins (Lytechinus) and Purple Urchins (Arbacia) were in the crevasses of tide pools on the hard substrate (See figure #16). Mollusks found included: egg cases of the Moon Snail (Family Naticidae), the Fuzzy Chiton (Acanthopleura --easy to find, hard to remove from its rock), Oysters (Isognomon) and multiple Periwinkle and Mud Snail species. In addition to the live star hexacorals, a Purple Sea Whip was gathered, which like many corals uses its tentacles (located in slits along the Sea Whip) to capture drifting plankton. While some sea grasses were observed, the plants on the hard substrate consisted of the green algal forms discussed previously, a stiff branching brown algae, and encrusting red algae. The soft substrate intertidal location at Little Duck Key County Park (BPK-LDKGF) also yielded grasses and green algal forms previously observed, and sponges also seen previously, but also yielded the Mangrove Upside-down Jellyfish (Cassiopeia xamachana) which sat on its bell and pulsed upward among the shallow grasses, and a green Mithrax crab. In the numerous circular “pot holes” in the grass flat (see figure #18), Diamond Killfish (Adinia) swirled after zooplankton, and simultaneously sought to avoid capture from wading birds which often feed on these small shallow water marsh fishes. A interesting find that ties the soft and hard substrate finds together was the collection of a Horse Conch shell on the soft substrate site, for inside the shell was a juvenile Beaugregory (Stegastes), a Errant Polychaete, and a small Long Spined Urchin (Diadema) , and outside the shell was red algae. Shells of many mollusks and crustaceans, alive or dead, act as hard substrate habitat on grass beds, and are colonized readily by many hard substrate organisms, as seen on this and many shells collected at both BPK and PCB. In addition to shells, exposed rock can also become a hard substrate island to organisms (see figure #19).
Additional grass flat fauna was collected using the trawl north of Spanish Harbor near No-Name Key (BPK-B, see figure #21): two species of filefish (Plainfin and Scrawled), a Cowfish, a juvenile Lane Snapper, a juvenile Grey Angelfish (in yellow and black stripes unlike the solid grey-black colors of the adult), juvenile Redfin Parrotfish, juvenile Grey Snappers, Sand Perch, Tomtates, and Mojarras (Eucinostamus). Non-fish trawl victims included the Loggerhead and Vase Sponges, a calico scallop, and Mangrove Crab(Scylla). This trawl points very strongly to the nursery nature of the grass beds. Many marine species of fish use the grass beds as key nursery grounds, especially commercially important fish species such as the Snappers (Lutjanidae), Groupers (Serranidae), Porgies (Sparidae), Tarpons (Elopidae), and Drums(Sciaenidae), and ornamental species like the Angelfishes (Pomacanthidae), Damselfishes (Pomacentridae) and Parrotfishes (Scaridae). The grass beds provide homes to crabs, worms, sponges, and shrimp, along with prey fish species such as the Striped Anchovy, Killfishes, and Silversides. These food items nourish the developing fishes while providing cover from predators such as Ospreys, Herons, and Barracuda. By providing this key habitat for juveniles and filtering the waters flowing offshore (especially the grass attached Hyrozoans), the Keys grass beds help keep the offshore reef healthy and diverse.
A snorkel under the edges of the mangroves at site BPK-MG provided a peek at another structure-oriented community, that of the Mangrove root system (see figure #17). Red Mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) have a well developed set of prop roots below the surface, shaded by the leaves above the surface. The roots were colonized by widely spaced acorn shaped barnacles (Balanus likely) , and are also usually homes to sponges and snails as well (though not observed). These roots are also homes to the aptly nicknamed “Mangrove” (or Grey) Snapper which along with Pinfish and many other fishes such as Snooks and juvenile Goliath Grouper take up residence deep in the roots. The deep Sargassum cover around these mangroves impaired both visibility and collection at this site.
Nearby to the mangroves of Spanish Harbor were the pilings of the Old Keys Bridge (site BPK-BC), which provide tidal current washed hard substrate with shelves for many species (See figure #20), and had clear water than the BPK-MG site. These bridge supports were well colonized with orange sponges, tunicates, oysters, barnacles, and red algae, and provided structure for fishes and animals to forage the nearby grass beds and artificial structures along the bottom (i.e. concrete poles, rocks, etc.). Snapping shrimp could be readily heard clicking out warnings to snorkeling intruders from the encrusting sponges. Featherduster Worms (Spriobranchus possibly) also poked out of the support’s covering to filter plankton and other edible particles from the current. Larger Grey Snappers, Lane Snappers, White Grunts, and a Goliath Grouper huddled near bottom under the shelf edge of the bridge supports, seeking both structure and ambush positions. Cero Mackerel sped between the supports, looking for fish such as the present Pinfish and juvenile Sergeant Majors to snap up while it continuously cruises. On the bottom of one support, 12” Grey Angelfish circled in displays for either courtship or territory, surrounded by intervening and feeding French Angelfish and Spadefish. Under the shelf in the shadows also lurked a Spiny Lobster, who forages at night with its long antennae, and migrates in single file lines offshore in winter.
A final set of observations was taken at the shelf edge patch reefs of the Looe Key Marine Preserve (BPK-LK) and other surrounding patch reefs (BPK-PR). The corals in the shallow locations were bleached (possibly from human foot impacts), while the deeper locations held many fan corals, staghorn corals, star corals, and brain corals. Fan worms (Sedentary Polychaetes), red algae, anemones, and a few sponges (including vase sponges) also covered the deeper formations. The surface of the shallow locations held many Ctenophores, which slightly moved against the current using their eight rows of cilia, capturing plankton with their two trailing tentacles. Many colorful fishes abounded at this location, including: Doctorfishes, Blue Tangs, and Surgeonfishes (all of the Surgeonfish family), Blueheads and Puddingwives (Wrasses), Grey and French Angelfish, numerous other small wrasses, Yellowtail Snappers, Blue and Queen Parrotfish, Damselfishes including adult Beaugregory and Sergeant Majors, Blue Runners, Cero Mackerel, and full sized (6 feet) Great Barracudas. Collections using fishing gear at patch reefs outside of the sanctuary (BPK-PR) also additionally yielded Jolthead Porgy, another reef fish. One of the formations here was clearly a ‘cleaning station’ for the fishes of the reef, since the parrotfishes and surgeonfishes moved along side of it, and waited while small colorful cleaner wrasses darted out form the formation to poke at the static larger fishes gills and bodies (See figure #23). This symbiotic relationship provides the recipient larger fish a service by ridding it of parasites such as the crustaceans called sea lice, and the wrasse by bringing food in the form of the parasites to the wrasse’s ‘shop’. The beaked fish of the reef such as the Surgeonfishes and Parrotfishes make a living by crunching at the soft and hard corals, eating the soft organic material and expelling white coarse sand, and by avoiding open waters were the barracudas can eat them. Like wolves shadowing Bison on the Great Plains, the fully grown Barracuda shadow schools of fish such as the swift Yellowtail Snappers and lurk behind corals, seeking a distracted or injured fish to quickly slash and engulf, the Barracuda’s counter shaded silvery coloration acting as mirror camouflage (see figure #24).
Using the previous descriptions of the habitats surround the St. Andrews State Park area (PCB) and the Big Pine Key area (BPK), a few comparisons can be made between these two base areas, largely due to latitude and geography. PCB is near the northern apex of the Gulf of Mexico, and as a result experiences freezing temperatures and large seasonal variations in temperature, unlike the stable near tropical temperatures of BPK. This portion of the Gulf has few geological offshore formations, limiting the appearance of reefs such as those in the Keys, and requires large distances (50 miles) to get to highly deep waters (6000 feet+), unlike BPK with a 8 mile distance. PCB’s Bay small bay structure limits offshore flow into the bays, while BPK is washed by both the Atlantic and Gulf. These factors combine to favor near continuous grass presence at BPK-SG and BPK-GF, and limit duration of grass blade presence at PCB-GF. As a result of all these factors, PCB-GF’s grassflats lacked the large numbers and varieties of large sponges found at BPK-SG. Also absent from PCB were the Parrotfishes and Angelfishes present at BPK in variety, the shallow corals that they feed upon (both require saline, warm, clear environments). PCB, however, had visible large numbers of large mullet, which were not at all seen at Big Pine Key. Striped Mullet require access to brackish water shallows for both spawning and development, and while Florida Bay 50 miles north of Big Pine Key has these traits, it is not close enough to bring in the large schools of mullet seen at PCB to BPK. While PCB is not very brackish, it is connected via the Intercoastal Waterway to the nearby Choctawhatchee River and Bay, and to the large the Appalachicola System, allowing influx of some freshwater and many nutrients for the numerous mussels, oysters, and scallops of PCB. Likewise the brackish and temperate Spartina grasses are also absent from BPK, replaced by tropical Mangroves as near shore cover. While Sargassum was seem in small quantities at PCB, the constant winds dues to lack of a nearby land mass and proximity to the Sargasso Sea bring large quantities of this algae and its attendant organisms to the shores of BPK regularly. The high energy beach environment was absent from BPK, due to the presence of shallow bottom on the Gulf of Mexico side, and sheltering reefs on the Atlantic side, making this entire habitat absent from BPK.
By way of conclusion, this paper has provided an examination of collection methods and locations for a temperate area (Panama City Beach St. Andrews) and a near tropical area (Big Pine Key), the resultant organisms found with habitat descriptions, and a brief look at comparisons between the two areas studied. Using observation and manual collection via shoreline, wading, and snorkeling, many invertebrate and vertebrate animal species, and multiple vascular and algal species, could be both observed in their environments, and collected for further study back at the campsites. Adding a trawl and plankton nets further added to the species collected, and combined with photography and microscopy, added to the knowledge base gained from this effort. The aggregated understanding provided a basis for qualitative descriptions of the species observed and how these species interact, and a brief habitats comparison. A larger work could easily be constructed using the high-resolution images and notes, but time does not allow for that here. That said, the knowledge and images gained on this effort will prove fruitful for future classes for the author and other students.
Figures and Tables
Figure 1: Collection Nets
Figure 2: Panama City Beach-St. Andrews Collection Sites (map from USGS)
Figure 3: Big Pine Key Area Collection/Observation Sites (map from USGS)
Figure 4: Table of Collection Sites and Methods
Figure 5: Map Showing PCB, BPK, and SGI Geographic Locations
Figure 6: The PCB-CS Campsite
Figure 7: Site PCB-WJ Snorkel Observations
Figure 8:PCB-BC Larval Decapod Plankton
Figure 9:PCB-B- "Teddy Bear" Veliger
Figure 10:PCB-BC Planktonic Nudibranch
Figure 11:PCB-B Porpida Blue Button and Sargassum
Figure 12:PCB-B Hydrozoans on Sargassum
Figure 13: Big Pine Key Campsite Facing East-BPK-CS,BPK-SG
Figure 14: BPK-SG Vase Sponge, Turtle and Manatee Grasses, and Green and Red Algae
Figure 15: BPK-SC Live Hexacoral and Algae
Figure 16:BPK-MKCF Hard Substrate Flat Algal Community
Figure 17:Red Mangrove with Exposed Roots
Figure 18:BPK-LDKGF Soft Substrate Intertidal Flat
Figure 19:Mud Snails at BPK-LDKGF on a Hard Substrate 'Island' on the Soft Substrate Bottom
Figure 20:BPK-BC Encrusted Bridge Supports
Figure 21: A Few Trawl Collections from BPK-B
Figure 22:BPK-SG Red Hermit Crab Paguristes using a Queen Conch Shell
Figure 23: BPK-LK Shallow Coral Patch Reef A Parrot Fish Waits at the 'Cleaning Station'
Figure 24:BPK-LK A Great Barracuda looks for a slow Yellowtail Snapper
Figure 25: A Table of Species Collected and Observed (See fig #1,2,4 for sites and abbreviations)
|
common name |
genus |
species |
collections |
observations |
|
Striped Tunicate |
Styela |
plicata |
PCB-GF |
PCB-GF |
|
Keeltail Needlefish |
Platybelone |
argalus |
|
BPK-SG |
|
Houndfish |
Tylosurus |
crocodilus |
|
BPK-SG |
|
Diamond Killfish |
Adinia |
xenica |
|
BPK-LDKGF |
|
Ladyfish |
Elops |
saurus |
|
PCB-WJ |
|
Tarpon |
Megalops |
atlanticus |
|
BPK-BC,BPK-CS |
|
Sargassum Pipefish |
Syngnathus |
pelagicus |
BPK-B |
|
|
Doctorfish |
Acanthurus |
chirugus |
|
BPK-LK |
|
Ocean Surgeonfish |
Acanthurus |
bahianus |
|
BPK-LK |
|
Blue Tang |
Acanthurus |
coeruleus |
|
BPK-LK |
|
Palometa |
Trachinotus |
goodei |
|
PCB-B |
|
Sharksucker |
Echeneis |
naucrates |
|
BPK-BC |
|
Remora |
Remora |
remora |
|
BPK-BC |
|
Atlantic Spadefish |
Chaetodipterus |
faber |
|
BPK-BC |
|
Silver Jenny |
Eucinostomus |
gula |
BPK-B |
|
|
Slender Mojarra |
Eucinostomus |
jonesi |
BPK-B |
|
|
Gobies (PCB) Yellowline or Neon |
Gobisoma |
horsti or oceanops |
|
PCB-WJ |
|
Tomtate |
Haemulon |
aurolineatum |
BPK-B |
|
|
White Grunt |
Haemulon |
plumieri |
BPK-B |
|
|
Pigfish |
Orthopristis |
chrysoptera |
PCB-SI |
|
|
Slippery Dick |
Halichoeres |
bivittatus |
PCB-SI |
|
|
Puddingwife |
Halichoeres |
radiatus |
|
BPK-LK |
|
Hogfish |
Lachnolaimus |
maximus |
|
BPK-LK |
|
Bluehead |
Thalassoma |
bifasciatum |
|
BPK-LK |
|
Grey (Mangrove) Snapper |
Lutjanus |
griseus |
BPK-BC,BPK-B |
BPK-SG,BPK-MG, BPK-BC |
|
Lane Snapper |
Lutjanus |
synagris |
BPK-B |
|
|
Yellowtail Snapper |
Ocyurus |
chrysurus |
|
BPK-LK |
|
Gray Angelfish |
Pomacanthus |
arcuatus |
BPK-B |
BPK-BC |
|
French Angelfish |
Pomacanthus |
paru |
|
BPK-LK |
|
Sergeant Major |
Abudefduf |
saxatilius |
|
BPK-All Sites Juv, Mature-BPK-LK |
|
Beugregory |
Stegastes |
leucostictus |
BPK-LDKGF |
BPK-LK |
|
common name |
genus |
species |
collections |
observations |
|
Threespot Damselfish |
Stegastes |
planifrons |
BPK-B |
BPK |
|
Bluefish |
Pomatomus |
saltatrix |
|
PCB-CS |
|
Queen Parrotfish |
Scarus |
vetula |
|
BPK-LK |
|
Blue Parrotfish |
Scarus |
coeruleus |
|
BPK-LK |
|
Redtail Parrotfish |
Sparisoma |
chrysopterum |
BPK-B |
BPK |
|
Yellowtail Parrotfish |
Sparisoma |
rubripinne |
|
BPK-LK |
|
Atlantic Croaker |
Micropogonias |
undulatus |
|
PCB-WJ |
|
Redfish (Red Drum) |
Sciaenops |
ocellatus |
|
PCB-CS |
|
Spanish Mackerel |
Scomberomorous |
maculatus |
|
PCB-CS |
|
Cero |
Scomberomorous |
regalis |
|
BPK-BC |
|
Sand Perch |
Diplectrum |
formosum |
BPK-B |
|
|
Goliath Grouper |
Epinephelus |
itajara |
|
BPK-BC |
|
Jolthead Porgy |
Calamus |
bajonado |
BPK-PR |
BPK |
|
Pinfish |
Lagodon |
rhomboides |
PCB-GF, PCB-CS,PCB-WJ, BPK-CS |
BPK-SG,BPK-MG, PCB-WJ,PCB-SI, PCB-GF, PCB-CS |
|
Great Barracuda |
Sphyraena |
barracuda |
|
BPK-LK, BPK-CS, BPK-SG |
|
Hardhead Catfish |
Arius |
felis |
PCB-CS |
|
|
Striped Burrfish |
Chilomycterus |
schoepfi |
PCB-SI |
|
|
Scrawled Filefish |
Aluterus |
scriptus |
BPK |
BPK-PR |
|
Planehead Filefish |
Stephanolepis |
hispidus |
PCB+BPK |
PCB-SI,BPK-B |
|
Honeycomb Cowfish |
Acathostracion |
polygona |
BPK-B |
|
|
Tidewater Silverside |
Menidia |
peninsulae |
PCB-GF |
|
|
Striped Anchovy |
Anchoa |
hepsetus |
PCB-GF |
PCB-GF |
|
Striped Mullet |
Mugil |
cephalus |
|
PCB-GF, PCB-CS |
|
Oyster Toadfish |
Opsanus |
tau |
BPK-BC |
|
|
Atlantic Stingray |
Dasyatis |
sabina |
|
BPK-SG |
|
Southern Stingray |
Dasyatis |
americana |
|
BPK-SG |
|
Bottlenosed Dolphin |
Tursiops |
truncatus |
|
PCB-CS |
|
West Indian Manatee |
Trichechus |
manatus |
|
BPK-CS |
|
Great Blue Heron |
Ardea |
herodias |
|
PCB-CS, PCB-GF, PCB-WJ,SGI, BPK-CS, BPK-LDKGF |
|
Snowy Egret |
Egretta |
thula |
|
PCB-CS,BPK-CS |
|
common name |
genus |
species |
collections |
observations |
|
Great Egret |
Casmerodius |
albus |
|
BPK-CS |
|
Little Blue Heron |
Egretta |
caerulea |
|
BPK-CS |
|
Greenbacked Heron |
Butorides |
striatus |
|
PCB-CS |
|
Brown Pelican |
Pelecanus |
occidentalis |
|
PCB-B, PCB-CS, PCB-WJ, BPK-CS |
|
Frigate Bird |
Fregata |
(MULTIPLE) |
|
PCB-B, BPK-CS |
|
Seagulls |
Larus |
(MULTIPLE) |
|
PCB+BPK all sites |
|
Double Breasted Cormorant |
Phalacrocoras |
auritus |
|
BPK-CS,BPK-LDKGF,BPK-MKCF |
|
Osprey |
Pandion |
haliatus |
|
PCB-CS |
|
Least Sand Piper |
Calidris |
minutilia |
|
PCB-B, SGI |
|
American Alligator |
Alligator |
mississippiens |
|
PCB-CS |
|
Largeclaw Snapping/Pistol Shrimp (in sponges) |
Synalpheus |
(MULTIPLE) |
BPK-SG,BPK-SC |
|
|
Snapping Shrimp (in shells and holes) |
Alpheus |
(MULTIPLE) |
BPK-SG,BPK-SC |
BPK |
|
Spiny Lobster (Florida/Carribean) |
Panulirus |
argus |
|
BPK-BC,BPK-LK |
|
Grass Shrimp |
Periclimenes |
longicaudatus (?) |
PCB-CS |
|
|
Arrow Shrimp |
Tozeuma |
carolinense(?) |
PCB-CS |
|
|
Pink Shrimp |
Penaeus |
duorarum |
PCB-CS |
|
|
Sand Crab (Flea) |
Emerita |
talpoida |
PCB-B |
|
|
Planktonic Amphipods |
|
|
PCB-BC |
|
|
Warf Roach |
|
|
|
PCB-CS |
|
Copepods |
|
|
PCB-BC,PCB-B |
|
|
Florida Stone Crab |
Menippe |
mercenaria |
PCB-GF+PCB-WJ |
|
|
Green Clinging Crab |
Mithrax |
sculptus |
BPK-MKCF |
|
|
Blue Crab |
Callinectes |
sapidus (+others) |
|
PCB-GF, SGI |
|
Sargassum Swimming Crab |
Portunus |
sayi |
BPK-SC |
|
|
Spider Crab |
Mithrax or Libina |
(?) |
PCB-GF |
|
|
Great Land Crab (Coconut Crab) |
Cardisoma |
guanhumi |
BPK-CS |
BPK-CS |
|
Mangrove Crab |
Scylla |
serrata |
BPK-SG |
|
|
Fiddler Crabs |
Uca |
(MULTIPLE) |
|
BPK-CS, BPK-LDKGF,BPK-MKCF,PCB-CS |
|
Giant Hermit Crab |
Petrochirus |
diogenes |
BPK-SG |
BPK |
|
Blue-eye Hermit Crab |
Paguristes |
sericeus |
BPK,PCB |
BPK,PCG,SGI |
|
Red Banded Hermit Crabs |
Paguristes |
erythrops |
BPK-SG |
BPK |
|
Red Striped Hermit Crab |
Phimochirus |
holthuisi |
BPK-SG |
BPK |
|
Acorn Barnacles |
Balanus |
(MULTIPLE) |
BPK-SG |
PCB+BPK (all sites) |
|
Smooth Gooseneck Barnacle |
Lepas |
anatifera |
BPK-CS |
|
|
common name |
genus |
species |
collections |
observations |
|
Horseshoe Crab |
Limulus |
polyphemus |
BPK-MG, BPK-SG(molt) |
BPK |
|
Branching Tube Sponge (keys) |
Pseudoceratina |
crassa |
BPK-SG |
BPK-SG |
|
Brown Tube Sponge (keys) |
Agelas |
confiera |
BPK-SG |
BPK-SG |
|
Brown Clustered Tube Sponge (keys) |
Agelas |
wiedenmyeri |
BPK-SG |
BPK-SG |
|
White Sponge ("softball") |
Geodia |
gibberosa |
BPK-SG |
BPK-SG |
|
Tube Sponge (keys) |
Callyspongia |
vaginalis |
BPK-SG |
BPK-SG |
|
Sulfur Sponge |
? |
|
BPK-SG |
BPK-SG |
|
Felt Sponge |
? |
|
BPK-SG |
BPK-SG |
|
Flabby Sponge |
? |
|
BPK-SG |
BPK-SG |
|
Purple (Star?) Encrusting Sponge |
Halisarca |
? |
|
BPK-MKCF |
|
Orange Sieve Encrusting Sponge (keys) |
Diplastrella |
|
BPK-SG |
BPK-SG |
|
Antler Sponge |
Spheciospongia |
cuspidifera |
BPK-SG |
BPK-SG |
|
Loggerhead sponge |
Spheciospongia |
vesparia |
BPK-SG |
BPK-SG |
|
Vase sponge |
Ircinia |
campana |
BPK-MKCF |
BPK-MKCF |
|
Crown Conch |
Melogena |
corona |
PCB-GF |
PCB |
|
Queen Conch |
Strombus |
gigas |
BPK-SG |
|
|
Horse Conch |
Pleuroploca |
gigantea |
BPK-B |
|
|
Tulip shells (multiple) |
Fasciolara |
(MULTIPLE) |
BPK-SG,BPK-LDKGF,PCB-GF |
BPK |
|
Zebra Littorina Snail |
Littorina |
zebra |
PCB-GF, BPK-MKCF |
PCB+BPK |
|
Marsh Intertidal Snail (White snails on Spatina) |
Littorina |
irrorata |
PCB-GF |
PCB-GF |
|
Top Snail |
Astraea |
|
|
BPK-SG |
|
snail-spanish helmet relative |
|
|
PCB-GF |
|
|
Bleeding Tooth |
Nerita |
peloronta |
PCB-GF |
|
|
Mud Snails (Florida Cerith?) |
Cerithium |
floridanum |
BPK-LDKGF |
BPK-LDKGF |
|
Mud Snails(Black Horn Snail?) |
Battillaria |
minima |
PCB-GF |
PCB-GF |
|
Sargassum Nudibranch |
Scyllaea |
pelagica |
BPK-SG |
|
|
Unk Planktonic Nudibranch ("water fox") |
|
|
PCB-CS |
|
|
Tiger Lucine (keys) |
Codakia |
orbicularis |
BPK-SG |
BPK-SG,BPK-LDKGF |
|
Fuzzy Chiton |
Acanthopleura |
granulata |
BPK-MKCF |
BPK-MKCF |
|
Florida Slender Chiton |
Stenoplax |
floridana |
PCB-GF |
|
|
Coquina (surf burrowing clam) |
Donax |
variabilis |
PCB-B |
|
|
Lister Purse-Oyster (keys) |
Isognomon |
radiatus |
BPK-MKCF |
BPK-MKCF |
|
common name |
genus |
species |
collections |
observations |
|
Flat Tree Oyster |
Isognomon |
alatus |
BPK-MKCF |
BPK-SG |
|
Oysters(gen-gulf) |
Crassotrea |
virginica |
PCB-GF/PCB-WJ |
PCB-CS, SGI |
|
Venus Clams |
Macrocallista |
nimbosa or other |
BPK-SG |
|
|
Amber Pen Shell (keys?) |
Pinna |
carnea |
BPK-SG |
|
|
Stiff Pen Shell (N. Gulf and Keys?) |
Atrina |
rigida |
PCB-GF |
|
|
Blood Ark |
Anadara |
ovalis |
PCB-GF |
|
|
Scallops |
|
|
PCB-GF |
PCB+BPK |
|
Bay Scallop |
Argopecten |
irradians |
PCB-GF |
|
|
Strawberry Cockle |
Americardia |
media |
PCB-GF |
|
|
Giant Cockle |
Dinocardium |
robustum |
PCB-GF |
|
|
mussel (Horse Mussel et al.) |
Modiolus |
modiolus |
PCB-GF |
PCB |
|
Limpets |
Diodora |
(Multiple) |
BPK-SG |
|
|
Pear Whelk (or Similar) |
Busycotypus or Busycon |
|
BPK-SG |
PCB/BPK |
|
Moon Snails |
Neverita et al. |
|
PCB |
PCB |
|
Turbin-Neurita |
|
|
BPK-SG |
|
|
Vermicularian snail |
|
|
BPK-SG |
|
|
Slipper Shell |
|
|
PCB-GF |
BPK+PCB multiple |
|
Blue Button (PCB) |
Porpida |
porpida (linnneana?) |
PCB-B |
|
|
Mangrove Upsidedown Jelly |
Cassiopea |
xamachana |
BPK-LDKGF |
|
|
Warty Sea Anemone (PCB) |
Bunodosoma |
cavernata |
|
PCB-WJ |
|
Purple Sea Plume (Whip?) |
Psudopterogorgia |
|
|
BPK-MKCF |
|
fan corals |
|
|
|
BPK-LK |
|
staghorn coral |
Acropora |
cervicornis |
|
BPK-LK |
|
Calyptoblast Hydrozoan (Branched) |
|
|
PCB-GF |
PCB |
|
Gymnoblast Hydrozoan (unbranched) |
|
|
PCB-GF |
PCB |
|
Sea Whip with Polyps |
Pterogorgia |
citrina? |
|
BPK-MKCF |
|
Brain Corals |
Diploria |
|
|
BPK-LK |
|
Common Star Coral |
Montastrea |
|
BPK |
BPK-SC,BPK-MKCF |
|
medusoid larvae |
|
|
PCB-BC |
|
|
Gorgonians |
Pterogorgia?? |
?? |
|
BPK-MKCF/BPK-LK |
|
Turtle Grass |
Thalassia |
testudinum |
PCB+BPK |
PCB-GF,PCB-SI,BPK-SG,BPK-LDKGF |
|
Manatee Grass |
Syringodium |
filiforme |
BPK |
BPK-SG,BPK-LDKGF,BPK-MG |
|
Spartina Grass (other Sp.) |
Spartina |
(MULTIPLE) |
|
PCB-GF, SGI |
|
Cord Grass |
Spartina |
anglica |
|
PCB-GF, SGI |
|
common name |
genus |
species |
collections |
observations |
|
Red Mangrove |
Rhizophora |
mangle |
|
BPK-MG, BPK-CS, BPK-LDKGF,BPK-MKCF |
|
Sargassum |
Sargassum |
natans |
BPK-SG,BPK-PR,PCB-GF |
BPK-all sites, PCB-B,PCB-GF |
|
Unk Calcarous Brown Algae |
|
|
|
BPK-LDKGF |
|
Mermaid's Shaving Brush |
Penicillus |
captitatus |
BPK-LDKGF,BPK-SG |
BPK-LDKGF,BPK-SG |
|
Sea lettuce |
Ulva |
lactuca |
|
PCB-WJ,BPK-MKCF |
|
Umbrella Algae |
Acetabularia |
crenulata |
|
BPK-LDKGF,BPK-SG |
|
Red Algae (unk Calcarious sp.) |
|
|
|
PCB-WJ,BPK-BC,BPK-MKCF,BPK-SC |
|
Chaetonath |
|
|
PCB-B |
|
|
Errant Polychaete |
(Multipile) |
(Multipile) |
BPK-SC,BPK-SG |
BPK-SC,BPK-SG |
|
Tubed Polychaete |
(Multipile) |
(Multipile) |
|
BPK-SG |
|
Featherduster Worm |
Anamobaea or Notaulax? |
(Multipile) |
|
BPK-SC,BPK-BC,BPK-LK |
|
Conical Spined Sea Star |
Echinaster |
sentus |
PCB-GF+BPK-SG,BPK-MKCF |
PCB+BPK multiple |
|
Reticulate Brittle Star (best guess?) |
Ophionereis |
reticulata |
PCB-GF |
PCB-GF |
|
Florida Sea Cucumber |
Holothuria |
floridana |
BPK-SC |
BPK-SC |
|
Short Spined Urchin |
Lytechinus |
Varigatus |
|
|
|
Long Spined Sea Urchin |
Diadema |
antillarum |
BPK-MKCF |
PCB-WJ+BPK-SG,BPK-MKCF |
|
Purple Urchin |
Arbacia |
Punctata |
BPK-MKCF |
|
|
Bryozoans |
Bugula,Electra |
|
BPK-PR |
|
1. USGS Topographic Maps and Geological Map of Florida online at: http://www.usgs.gov/
2. Boschung, H.T. et al., The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Fishes, Whales, and Dolphins, pub. Alfred A. Knopf, NY, ©1983.
3. Pocket Guide to Shells, An Oceana Book, Quantum Pub Ltd, ISBN 0-681-78346-X © 2004
4. Humann, P, and Deloach, N., Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas, 3rd Ed, New World Publications, Inc., © 2002.
5. Humann, P, and Deloach, N., Reef Creature Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas, 2nd Ed, New World Publications, Inc., ©2002.
6. Niering, W. A. et al., National Audubon Society Nature Guides: Wetlands, 1997, ISBN0-394-73147-6
7. “Southwest Florida Shells: The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum”, online at http://www.shellmuseum.org/sanibel_shells_pictures.html
8. “Worms! Feather Dusters: A Diversity of Aquatic Life”, online at http://www.wetwebmedia.com .
9. “PISCES- Coral Reefs: Species Profiles: Common Corals of Florida”, online at http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Southflorida/coral/Profiels.html
 |
|
| Get your Combat-Fishing Stuff Here! |