Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Standing crop of foraminifera in sublittoral epiphytic communities of a Long Island salt marsh

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

During the summers of 1966 and 1967, 12 field trips were made to stations in North Sea Harbor, Southampton, Long Island (USA). From representative locations, 228 small samples of larger algae and their epiphytes (∼0.2 g dry weight) were taken aseptically. Enteromorpha intestinalis, the most widely distributed aquatic plant, was the most frequently collected. The large standing crop of Zostera marina and Zanichellia palustris was also sampled. Foraminifera were most abundant in epiphytic communities of Enteromorpha in early summer and later spread to Zostera, Zanichellia, Ulva, Polysiphonia, and Ceramium. Foraminifera were rarely found in epiphytic communities of Fucus or Codium. By summers' end Enteromorpha rarely had a standing crop of foraminifera. One of the most abundant foraminiferan species, Protelphidium tisburyensis, was found most frequently on Enteromorpha; Quinqueloculina spp occurring on Enteromorpha, less frequently. Ammonia beccarri and Elphidium spp were abundant in the environment, and showed little substrate preference. Patches of decaying Enteromorpha had the greatest standing crop of foraminifera and low species diversity index (0.581). Young green patches had a much higher species diversity index (0.94). Indices for Zostera, Zanichellia, Polysiphonia, Fucus, Ulva and Codium were, respectively, 0.82, 0.99, 0.86, 0.70, 0.77, and 0.196. No correlation was found between epiphytic community weight and total number of foraminifera recovered. The standing crop of epiphytes/g substrate dry weight was lower at some field stations; possibly explained by stronger current. Of the total samples, 50.4% were positive, with an average of 18 foraminifera/sample, or 40 foraminifera/g substrate plant and epiphytes. Twenty six samples were classified as bloom with 50 or more forams (57 to 425)/sample. Species diversity indices for these blooms ranged from 0.38 to 1.12. Ammonia beccarii was the dominant form in 18 blooms, Allogromia laticollaris and Protelphidium tisburyensis in 3; Elphidium incertum, Quinqueloculina seminulum and Trochammina inflata in 1 each.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  • Bandy, O. L.: Distribution of some shallow-water Foraminifera in the Gulf of Mexico. Prof. Pap. U.S. geol. Surv. 254-F, 125–141 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  • Boltovsky, E.: Seasonal occurrences of some living foraminifera in Puerto Deseado (Patagonia, Argentina). J. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer. 39, 136–145 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Depth at which foraminifera can survive in sediments. Contr. Cushman Fdn foramin. Res. 17, 43–45 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw, J. S.: Laboratory experiments on ecology of foraminifera. Contr. Cushman Fdn foramin. Res. 12, 87–106 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Environmental parameters and marsh foraminifera. Limnol. Oceanogr. 13, 26–38 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, A. L.: Standing crop, vertical distribution and morphometries of Ammonia beccarii. Limnol. Oceanogr. 12, 667–684 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Butcher, R.: A new species of Nonion (Foraminifera) from the Woods Hole region. Contr. Cushman Fdn foramin. Res. 24, 21–23 (1948).

    Google Scholar 

  • Buzas, M. A.: The distribution and abundance of foraminifera in Long Island Sound. Smithson. misc. Collns 149, 1–89 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The discrimination of morphological groups of Elphidium in Long Island Sound through canonical analysis and invariant characters. J. Paleont. 40, 585–594 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: An application of canonical analysis as a method for comparing faunal areas. J. Anim. Ecol. 36, 563–577 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: On the spatial distribution of foraminifera. Contr. Cushman Fdn foramin. Res. 19, 1–11 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cifelli, R.: The morphology and structure of Ammonia beccarii (Linné). Contr. Cushman Fdn foramin. Res. 13, 119–126 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cushman, J. A.: The foraminifera of the Atlantic Ocean. Bull. U.S. natl Mus. 104, 1–18 (1930).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The foraminifera of the Atlantic Ocean. Bull. U.S. natl Mus. 104, 1–179 (1931).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Foraminifera from the shallow water of the New England coast. Spec. Publs Cushman Lab. 12, 1–37 (1944).

    Google Scholar 

  • — and W. Bronnimann: Some new genera and species of foraminifera from brackish waters of Trinidad. Contr. Cushman Lab. foramin. Res. 24, 15–21 (1948a).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Additional new species of arenaceous Foraminifera from shallow waters of Trinidad. Contr. Cushman Lab. foramin. Res. 24, 37–42 (1948b).

    Google Scholar 

  • — and R. Todd: Foraminifera from the coast of Washington. Spec. Publs Cushman Lab. 21, 1–23 (1947).

    Google Scholar 

  • Føyn, B.: Foraminiferstudien. 1. Der Lebenszyklus von Discorbina vilardeboana d'Orbigny. Bergens Mus. Årb. 1936 (natury. R), 1–23 (1936).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedley, R. H. and J. St. Wakefield: Clone culture studies of a new Rosalinid foraminifer from Plymouth, England and Wellington, New Zealand. J. mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 47, 121–128 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, M. L.: A quantitative evaluation of the benthonic fauna off Point Richmond, California. Univ. Calif. Publs Zool. 67, 219–320 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, J. J.: A new approach to nutrition, physiology, and mineral cycling of foraminifera. United States Atomic Energy Commission NYO 3396-10. (Copies available from the New York Operations Office of the AEC). (1967).

  • Lee, J. J.: A new approach to nutrition, physiology, and mineral cycling of foraminifera. United States Atomic Energy Commission NYO 3396-14. (Copies available from the New York Operations Office of the AEC). (1968).

  • —, H. D. Freudenthal, W. A. Muller, V. Kossoy, S. Pierce and R. Grossman: Growth and physiology of foraminifera in the laboratory. Pt 3. Initial studies of Rosalina floridana. Micropaleontology 9, 449–466 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, M. McEnery, S. Pierce, H. D. Freudenthal and W. A. Muller: Tracer experiments in feeding littoral foraminifera. J. Protozool. 13, 659–670 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • — and H. Rubin: Quantitative studies on the growth of Allogromia laticollaris. J. Protozool. 16, 377–395 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, J. J., R. J. Stone, M. McEnnery and W. A. Muller: Physiological perspectives on the ecology of foraminifera in a Long Island salt marsh. Proc. Shellfish Cultural Conference April, 1968. Reg. mar. Resources Concl. Nassau-Suffolk Regional Planning Bd 1968.

  • Loeblich, A. R., Jr. and H. Tappan: ... In: Treatise on invertebrate paleontology, 1, pp 1–510, 2, 511–900 Pt C, Protista 2, sarcodina, Ed. by R. C. Moore. ...: Geological Society of America 1964.

  • Lynts, G. W.: Distribution of recent foraminifera in upper Florida Bay and associated Sounds. Contr. Cushman Fdn foramin. Res. 13, 127–144 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Observations on some recent Florida Bay foraminifera. Contr. Cushman Fdn foramin. Res. 16, 67–69 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Variation of foraminiferal standing crop over short lateral distances in Buttonwood Sound, Florida Bay. Limnol. Oceanogr. 11, 562–566 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Muller, W. A. and J. J. Lee: Apparent indispensability of bacteria in foraminiferan nutrition. J. Protozool. 16, 471–478 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, E. H.: Biological evidence as to the rate at which tests of foraminifera are contributed to the sediments. J. Paleont. 16, 397–398 (1942a).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: A quantitative study of the productivity of foraminifera in the sea. Proc. Am. phil. Soc. 85, 325–342 (1942b).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Life activities of foraminifera in relation to marine ecology. Proc. Am. phil. Soc. 86, 439–457 (1943).

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, W. E.: Ecology of recent foraminifera in northern Florida Keys. Bull. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol. 41, 727–741 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Natland, M. L.: New species of foraminifera from the later tertiary of the Los Angeles basin. Bull. Scripps Instn Oceanogr. tech. Ser. 4, 137–164 (1938).

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, F. L.: Foraminifera species off Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Bull. Mus. comp. Zool. Harv. 106, 391–423 (1952a).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Foraminiferal distribution in the Long Island Sound—Buzzards Bay area. Bull. Mus. comp. Zool. Harv. 106, 428–473 (1952b).

    Google Scholar 

  • — and W. D. Athearn: Ecology of marsh foraminifera in Poponesset Bay, Massachusetts. J. Paleont. 33, 333–343 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, F. B. Phleger and J. F. Peirson: Ecology of foraminifera from San Antonio Bay and environs, southwest Texas. Spec. Publs Cushman Fdn 2, 1–75 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  • Phleger, F. B.: Foraminifera ecology off Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Bull. Mus. comp. Zool. Harv. 6, 315–390 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Foraminifera and deep-sea research. Deep Sea Res. 2, 1–23 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Ecology of foraminifera in south-eastern Mississippi Delta area. Bull. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol. 39, 712–752 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Ecology and distribution of recent foraminifera, 297 pp. Baltimore: John Hopkins Press 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Patterns of living benthonic foraminifera, Gulf of California. Marine geology of the Gulf of California—a Symposium. Mem. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol. 3, 377–394 (1964a).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Foraminiferal ecology and marine geology. Mar. Geol. 1, 16–43 (1964b).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Patterns of marsh foraminifera, Galveston Bay, Texas. Limnol. Oceanogr. 10, 169–184 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • — and J. S. Bradshaw: Sedimentary environments in a marine marsh. Science, N.Y. 154, 1551–1553 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, R.: Emandation of the foraminiferal genus Pelmerinella (1934) and erection of the foraminiferal genus Helenia. J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 47, 370–374 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Todd, R. and D. Low: Near-shore foraminifera of Martha's Vineyard Island, Massachusetts. Contr. Cushman Fdn foramin. Res. 12, 5–21 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Uchio, T.: Ecology of living benthonic foraminifera from the San Diego, California area. Spec. Publs Cushman Fdn 5, 1–72 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Warren, J.: Foraminifera of the Busas-Scofield Bayou region, S.E. Louisiana. Contr. Cushman Fdn foramin. Res. 8, 29–40 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. J. J. Lee

    Present address: Department of Biology, City College of the City University of New York, New York, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, City College of the City University of New York, New York, USA

    R. J. Stone & W. Zucker

  2. Department of Science Education, Queens College of the City University of New York, New York, USA

    W. A. Muller

  3. Department of Biology, Pace College New York, New York, USA

    M. E. McEnery

Authors
  1. J. J. Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. W. A. Muller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. J. Stone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. E. McEnery
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. W. Zucker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by G. L. Voss, Miami

Supported by US AEC Contracts AT (30-1) 3396 and AT (30-1) 3995. Ref. numbers NYO 3396-17 and NYO 3995-2.

Much of this study was carried out in the Living Foraminifera Laboratory, Department of Micropaleontology of the American Museum of Natural History.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lee, J.J., Muller, W.A., Stone, R.J. et al. Standing crop of foraminifera in sublittoral epiphytic communities of a Long Island salt marsh. Mar. Biol. 4, 44–61 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00372165

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00372165

Keywords

Search

Navigation