Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
Decapod communities associated with intertidal and subtidal worm reefs
(Phragmatopoma lapidosa) were investigated in March and September, 1973,
at four locations along the Florida east coast. Quantitative samples
from intertidal reefs yielded few species (23), dominated by the grapsid,
Pachygrapsus transversus. Subtidal samples contained 71 species,
generally dominated by Synalpheus fritzmuelleri. Qualitative collections
yielded additional rare species resulting in a total of 94 species found
inhabit ing the worm reefs. The family Alpheidae contained the greatest
number of species (20) followed by the family Majidae (16) and the fa~ily
Xanthidae (12). The remaining 16 families were represented by seven or
fewer species. Eleven of the 94 species (or 11 .7%) were new continental
records, while occurrence of three other species constituted range
extensions from the Florida Keys or Florida west coast. A systematic
account of each species is given and taxonomic problems are elucidated.
The significance of P. lapidosa reefs as a habitat for decapods is
discussed.
(Phragmatopoma lapidosa) were investigated in March and September, 1973,
at four locations along the Florida east coast. Quantitative samples
from intertidal reefs yielded few species (23), dominated by the grapsid,
Pachygrapsus transversus. Subtidal samples contained 71 species,
generally dominated by Synalpheus fritzmuelleri. Qualitative collections
yielded additional rare species resulting in a total of 94 species found
inhabit ing the worm reefs. The family Alpheidae contained the greatest
number of species (20) followed by the family Majidae (16) and the fa~ily
Xanthidae (12). The remaining 16 families were represented by seven or
fewer species. Eleven of the 94 species (or 11 .7%) were new continental
records, while occurrence of three other species constituted range
extensions from the Florida Keys or Florida west coast. A systematic
account of each species is given and taxonomic problems are elucidated.
The significance of P. lapidosa reefs as a habitat for decapods is
discussed.
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