An inventory of the estuarine fauna in the vicinity of Pensacola, Florida

Abstract

This faunal inventory of the Pensacola Estuary, Florida, records 654 species of benthic and pelagic animals collected systematically from 1961 through 1963 and casually in other years. Sampling dates were correlated with approximate mid-points of spring rise and autumnal decline as well as annual extremes of water temperature. Biological sampling was coordinated with seasonal studies of hourly variation in salinity and water temperature during single maximum amplitude tidal cycles recorded simultaneously at six stations along the salinity gradient. Data for each species include salinity of sampling station, habitat, season in which collected, and relative abundance. Predominant species were mollusks (184), annelids (91, chiefly polychaetes), arthropods (91, chiefly decapod crustaceans), and bony fishes (180). Spawning of a turbellarian, seven mollusks and 25 crustaceans, and breeding of horseshoe crabs are reported; limited data do not define duration of spawning or breeding seasons. Season. duration and intensity of setting of larvae of oysters, barnacles, bryozoans and serpulid worms in Santa Rosa Sound during 1962-63 and in Little Sabine Bay during 1960-63 are also reported. (Document has 124 pages.)