Density and species richness of macrofaunal benthic bivalves in North Inlet, South Carolina
Presentation Type
Event
Full Name of Faculty Mentor
Juliana Harding
Major
Marine Science
Presentation Abstract
Marine benthic bivalves are consumed by higher trophic levels. Bivalve species richness and density depend on temperature, salinity, and location. Biweekly core samples were collected from Bly Creek from 12/2017 to 12/2018. Benthic macrofaunal bivalves were counted and identified to describe density and species richness. Bivalves were also photographed for species identification. Bivalves composed 0% to 17% of the total macrofauna. The maximum bivalve density (14,281 bivalves/m2) was recorded on April 26, 2018 . The fewest bivalves were observed from January through March 2018 and during November 2018. Four bivalve species were recorded during 2018; two species were present year-round. Peak Bly Creek bivalve densities in 2018 were 2-3 months offset from the historic (1981,1983) pattern of maximum annual bivalve density in January and February. Bivalve trends in 2018 were similar to those observed in 1985. Potential relationships between annual patterns of bivalve density and climate will be discussed.
Location
Brittain Hall, Room 114
Start Date
16-4-2019 7:00 PM
End Date
16-4-2019 7:20 PM
Disciplines
Oceanography
Recommended Citation
Hawley, Richard, "Density and species richness of macrofaunal benthic bivalves in North Inlet, South Carolina" (2019). Undergraduate Research Competition. 23.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/ugrc/2019/poster/23
Density and species richness of macrofaunal benthic bivalves in North Inlet, South Carolina
Brittain Hall, Room 114
Marine benthic bivalves are consumed by higher trophic levels. Bivalve species richness and density depend on temperature, salinity, and location. Biweekly core samples were collected from Bly Creek from 12/2017 to 12/2018. Benthic macrofaunal bivalves were counted and identified to describe density and species richness. Bivalves were also photographed for species identification. Bivalves composed 0% to 17% of the total macrofauna. The maximum bivalve density (14,281 bivalves/m2) was recorded on April 26, 2018 . The fewest bivalves were observed from January through March 2018 and during November 2018. Four bivalve species were recorded during 2018; two species were present year-round. Peak Bly Creek bivalve densities in 2018 were 2-3 months offset from the historic (1981,1983) pattern of maximum annual bivalve density in January and February. Bivalve trends in 2018 were similar to those observed in 1985. Potential relationships between annual patterns of bivalve density and climate will be discussed.