Ecology and distributional patterns of marine macro-invertebrates, northern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

The macro-invertebrate assemblages in the northern Gulf of Mexico can be separated into those occurring in the shallow lagoons and estuaries and those on the continental shelf and slope. Distributional patterns of faunal assemblages in lagoons and estuaries are considerably modified by prevailing climates. Climatic control is exerted to a lesser degree in the shallow waters on the continental shelf.