Snodgrass, Joel W.

Comparisons were made between fishes occurring in monospecific stands of the macroalgae Caulerpa prolifera and the seagrass Halodule wrightii in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida. Seine samples were taken on a monthly basis from October 1986 to September 1987 at two sites in the lagoon. Throw-net samples were taken during the summer of 1987 at one site. Physical measurements and vegetation samples were taken at the time of fish sampling to measure that environmental conditions both macrophyte beds. No significant differences occurred in physical parameters at either study site. The throw-net provided a more accurate estimate of actual fish abundance, and the seine provided a more accurate estimate of the number of species present. Lucania parva dominated abundance and biomass at both sites in both macrophyte beds with the exception of one algal bed where Lagodon rhomboides dominated fish biomass. The fish faunas were qualitatively similar, but the seagrass beds were more productive. Mean number of fishes, biomass, number of juveniles, number of species per seine tow, and number of fishes and biomass per throw net throw were significantly higher in seagrass beds than in macroalgae beds. When compared with H. wrightii beds, c. prolifera beds provided marginal habitat for fishes

Comparison of fishes occurring in monospecific stands of algae and seagrass

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