Benthic Invertebrate Responses to Size and Density Manipulations of the Common Mummichog, Fundulus Heteroclitus, in an Intertidal Salt Marsh

Ecology ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 1518-1532 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. T. Kneib ◽  
A. E. Stiven
Keyword(s):  
Salt Marsh ◽  
Fundulus Heteroclitus ◽  
Benthic Invertebrate ◽  
The Common

Abiotic versus biotic hierarchies in the assembly of parasite populations

Parasitology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 137 (4) ◽  
pp. 743-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. K. ANDERSON ◽  
M. V. K. SUKHDEO
Keyword(s):  
Fundulus Heteroclitus ◽  
Classification Tree ◽  
Benthic Invertebrate ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Complex Life Cycles ◽  
Parasite Communities ◽  
Parametric Classification ◽  
The Common ◽  
Correct Category ◽  
Parasite Populations

SUMMARYThe presence or absence of parasites within host populations is the result of a complex of factors, both biotic and abiotic. This study uses a non-parametric classification tree approach to evaluate the relative importance of key abiotic and biotic drivers controlling the presence/absence of parasites with complex life cycles in a sentinel, the common killifish Fundulus heteroclitus. Parasite communities were classified from 480 individuals representing 15 fish from 4 distinct marsh sites in each of 4 consecutive seasons between 2006 and 2007. Abiotic parameters were recorded at continuous water monitoring stations located at each of the 4 sites. Classification trees identified the presence of benthic invertebrate species (Gammarus sp. and Littorina sp.) as the most important variables in determining parasite presence: secondary splitters were dominated by abiotic variables including conductance, pH and temperature. Seventy percent of hosts were successfully classified into the correct category (infected/uninfected) based on only these criteria. The presence of competent definitive hosts was not considered to be an important explanatory variable. These data suggest that the most important determinant of the presence of these parasite populations in the common killifish is the availability of diverse communities of benthic invertebrates.

Urbanization impacts on production and recruitment of Fundulus heteroclitus in salt marsh creeks

2020 ◽  
Vol 645 ◽  
pp. 187-204
Author(s):  
PJ Rudershausen ◽  
JA Buckel
Keyword(s):  
Salt Marsh ◽  
Salt Marshes ◽  
Fundulus Heteroclitus ◽  
Multiple Factor Analysis ◽  
Southeastern Usa ◽  
Density Dependent ◽  
Dependent Relationship ◽  
Juvenile Abundance ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Throw Trap

It is unclear how urbanization affects secondary biological production in estuaries in the southeastern USA. We estimated production of larval/juvenile Fundulus heteroclitus in salt marsh areas of North Carolina tidal creeks and tested for factors influencing production. F. heteroclitus were collected with a throw trap in salt marshes of 5 creeks subjected to a range of urbanization intensities. Multiple factor analysis (MFA) was used to reduce dimensionality of habitat and urbanization effects in the creeks and their watersheds. Production was then related to the first 2 dimensions of the MFA, month, and year. Lastly, we determined the relationship between creek-wide larval/juvenile production and abundance from spring and abundance of adults from autumn of the same year. Production in marsh (g m-2 d-1) varied between years and was negatively related to the MFA dimension that indexed salt marsh; higher rates of production were related to creeks with higher percentages of marsh. An asymptotic relationship was found between abundance of adults and creek-wide production of larvae/juveniles and an even stronger density-dependent relationship was found between abundance of adults and creek-wide larval/juvenile abundance. Results demonstrate (1) the ability of F. heteroclitus to maintain production within salt marsh in creeks with a lesser percentage of marsh as long as this habitat is not removed altogether and (2) a density-dependent link between age-0 production/abundance and subsequent adult recruitment. Given the relationship between production and marsh area, natural resource agencies should consider impacts of development on production when permitting construction in the southeastern USA.

Aerial Respiration in the Salt Marsh Fish Fundulus heteroclitus (Fundulidae)

Copeia ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 (3) ◽  
pp. 743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia M. Halpin ◽  
Karen L. M. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Salt Marsh ◽  
Fundulus Heteroclitus ◽  
Aerial Respiration
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