Macrobenthos of sandy beach and nearshore environments at Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, U.S.A.
Knott, D.M.; Calder, D.R.; Van Dolah, R.F. (1983). Macrobenthos of sandy beach and nearshore environments at Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, U.S.A. Est., Coast. and Shelf Sci. 16(4): 573-590
In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. Academic Press: London; New York. ISSN 0272-7714; e-ISSN 1096-0015, more
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| Keywords |
Aquatic communities > Benthos
Aquatic organisms > Burrowing organisms
Composition > Community composition
Structures > Hydraulic structures > Coastal structures > Port installations
Temporal variations > Periodic variations > Seasonal variations
Topographic features > Beach features > Surf zone
Topographic features > Landforms > Coastal landforms > Beaches
ANW, USA, South Carolina [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Knott, D.M.
- Calder, D.R.
- Van Dolah, R.F.
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| Abstract |
Quantitative samples of benthic macrofauna were collected seasonally from sandy beaches and adjacent nearshore areas bordering the entrance of a high salinity inlet in South Carolina. Intertidal stations were numerically dominated by the polychaete Scolelepis squamata, the amphipod Neohaustorius schmitzi and the bivalve Donax variabilis. Abundant subtidal species included the polychaetes Spiophanes bombyx and Scolelepis squamata, the amphipods Protohaustorius deichmannae and Acanthohaustorius millsi, and the bivalve Tellina sp. Species composition, faunal density and species diversity varied along three transects extending from mean high water to depths of about 5 m. Although some species groups were habitat-restricted, the numerically dominant species were widely distributed throughout the subtidal and intertidal zones. Polychaetes dominated the fauna of subtidal and intertidal habitats, both in terms of numbers of species and numbers of individuals. This dominance was attributed to the moderate wave energy in this area, as well as to the sheltering effect of a jetty that was constructed during the course of the study. Jetty construction also resulted in faunal enrichment at intertidal stations on a sheltered transect. |
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