Energy-related research of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the Great Lakes
No abstract available.
Geology topics
Publications and source records attributed to Thomas G. Yocom.
No abstract available.
The structure and function of mangrove communities in the Jewfish Chain, Exumas, Bahamas, were investigated for 3-1/2 years. Mangrove vegetation in the Jewfish Chain is similar to that in all the Caribbean-Florida area; Rhizophora mangle L. dominates and is interspersed with Avicennia germinans (L.) Lamk. and Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn. There is no apparent zonation of these three species. The mangrove communities in the Jewfish Chain occur only where they are protected from prevailing winds, storms, and tides, although all are periodically devastated by hurricanes. We found little or no evidence of coast building within these protected locations. The importance of the mangroves appears to be in providing protection and food for other flora and fauna within this unique ecosystem. Twenty-four species of algae were found in the mangroves, 9 of which had not previously been reported from the Bahamas. Distribution of these algae appears to be correlated to incident solar radiation, desiccation, and tide level. A total of 56 species of fish were found in the mangroves, 2 of which were not previously known from the Bahamas. Many fish taken were juveniles, suggesting that mangroves are a nursery ground for numerous species. Nine species of molluscs were found. Each species had a distinct distribution pattern relative to distance from the seaward edge of the mangroves, as well as a distinct vertical distribution pattern. Seventeen species of decapod crustaceans were recorded. Though several species of birds were noted in the mangroves, three species were most abundant: the white-crowned pigeon ( Columba leucocephala ) uses the mangrove for nesting but feeds in nearby shrub-thorn communities; the gray kingbird ( Tyrannus dominicensis ) and green heron ( Butorides virescens ) nest and feed in the mangroves. Our data do not completely describe a stereotyped mangrove community in the Bahamas, but they do give an indication of community structure and suggest several aspects of function.
Fry of lake whitefish ( Coregonus clupeaformis ) acclimated to 10, 15, and 18 C were exposed to temperatures of 24.5, 25, and 28 C for 1 min and then immediately returned to water at their acclimation temperature, in test tanks containing yearling yellow perch ( Perca flavescens ). The number of attacks on the fry and the number captured and eaten in 30 min were recorded in separate tests of shocked and unshocked (control) whitefish.Significantly more whitefish were captured per attack (data for shocked and unshocked fry combined) at 15 and 18 C than at 10 C; and shocked fry were significantly more vulnerable to capture by the perch than were unshocked controls.