Nekton use of macrophyte patches following mortality of turtle grass, Thalassia testudinum, in shallow waters of Florida Bay (Florida, USA)

Sheridan, P.; McMahan, G.; Conley, G.; Williams, A.; Thayer, G.

Nekton use of macrophyte patches following mortality of turtle grass, Thalassia testudinum, in shallow waters of Florida Bay (Florida, USA)

Date

1997

Authors

Sheridan, P.

McMahan, G.

Conley, G.

Williams, A.

Thayer, G.

Abstract

Mortality of sea grass in western Florida Bay has been widespread. Mud, algae, and Halodule wrightii have replaced the once dominant beds of Thalassia testudinum, turtle grass. The hypothesis that increased habitat heterogeneity leads to increased secondary production and diversity was tested.

Description

p. 801-820

Keywords

sea grass, turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), Halodule wrightii, mortality, nekton, species diversity, secondary production, density, Lucania parva, Opsanus beta, Thor floridanus, Floridichthys carpio, Penaeus duorarum, Gobiosoma robustum