Distribution of these crustaceans varied little with changes in 

 location in the area studied, except that Neomysis americana and adult 

 Crangon septemspinosus were more numerous at deeper stations towards 

 Throgs Neck than in shallow areas around Davids Island. 



"The rock crab, Cancer irroratus , was the most abundant of the larger 

 crustaceans sampled by otter trawl (Tables 33-36) and clam rake (Tables 37-38) 

 Lobsters ( Homarus americanus ) and hermit crabs (Pagurus sp.) were present 

 in fair numbers. Calico crabs ( Ovalipes ocellatus ) and spider crabs 

 (Libinia sp.) were infrequently encountered. All these crustaceans 

 except hermit crabs were more numerous in collections from deeper waters 

 near Throgs Neck than elsewhere. However, SCUBA surveys revealed that 

 lobsters and crabs were also plentiful in rocky areas around Davids 

 Island. Hermit crabs were often extremely abundant in these areas. 



Benthos 



Analyses of two series of benthic samples yielded contrasting results. 

 Collections made in April with the boat-operated Smith-Mclntyre grab 

 contained only small numbers of infaunal organisms, and species diversity 

 was low (Table 39). Only Nassarius sp. (actually an epifaunal organisms) 

 was present at all stations. 



11 



