Benthic Invertebrates in Delaware Bay: Animal-Sediment Associations of the Dominant Species

摘要: The purpose of this study was to determine the composition benthic fauna near mouth Delaware Bay. One hundred and five species were collected identified from 277 grab samples. A sediment sample also at each stations. Faunal density low with number individuals rarely exceeding 10/0.1 m2. Species ranked according individuals; nine top comprised 83.4% fauna. three species, Tellina agilis, Gemma gemma, Nucula proxima, 65.2% all collected. high percentage (41.9%) occurred in two samples or less. six most frequently compared classes based on weight siltclay. Protohaustorius wigleyi Trichophoxus epistomus found mainly less than 10% silt-clay. agilis Ampelisca verrilli transitional between pure sand mud facies. proxima Heteromastus filiformis members a silt-clay facies ( 25% silt-clay). relative dominance (redundancy) not significantly different any types.