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Fishery Bulletin 104(1) 



est average similarity level at 48.90, and nine species — 

 S. floridae, M. hispidus, black seabass (Centropristis 

 striata), L. rhomhoides, Eucinostomus spp., fringed file- 

 fish {Monacanthus ciUatus), S. scovelli, striped burrfish 

 (Chilomycterus schoepfi), and S. nephelus — accounted for 

 more than 91% of the cumulative similarity. Lagodon 

 rhomhoides and S. floridae were characteristic of all 

 three assemblages, and Eucinostomus spp., S. scovelli, 

 and M. hispidus were important contributors to the 

 summer and fall assemblages. Other abundant species 

 from seagrass assemblages included southern kingfish 

 {Menticirrhus americanus), rough silverside {Membras 

 niartinica), and gobiids, particularly green goby {Micro- 

 gobius thalassinus) and naked goby (Gobiosoma bosc). 



A significant drop in salinity during March 1998 

 corresponded to an alteration in the fish community 

 collected in seagrass habitats. The species present in 

 the seagrass habitats during March 1998 were more 

 consistent with species collected in tidal creeks and 

 included A. mitchilli, Brevoortia spp., and spot (Leiosto- 

 mus xanthurus), none of which were collected in March 

 of 1997 or 1999 in seagrass habitats. Samples collected 

 during March 1997 and 1999 contained individuals 

 more characteristic of seagrass habitats, such as C. 

 schoepfi, L. rhomhoides, O. chrysoptera, and iS. nephelus 

 in 1997 and scrawled cowfish (Acanthostracion quadri- 

 cornis), O. chrysoptera, L. rhomhoides, S. floridae, and 

 S. scovelli in 1999. 



