B. Estuarine Fauna 



IV-B-1 



Perkins, E.J. 1974. The biology of estuaries and coastal waters. 

 Academic Press, New York. 678 pp. 



This is a comprehensive treatise on coastal and estuarine waters and 

 their faunal inhabitants. Scattered comments are made on the role of 

 marshlands in nutrient production and as habitat for various organisms. 

 Food-web diagrams are provided. (J.B.) 



Keywords: estuaries, nutrient production, food web 



IV-B-2 



Barnes, R.S. 1974. Estuarine biology. Edward Arnold, London. 76 pp. 



Four chapters of this book are relevant to invertebrates and higher 

 forms of life. Chapter 4 considers adaptations of mudflat animals 

 in the variable and rigorous intertidal areas. Included are:(l) ana- 

 tomical specializations for feeding, gaseous exchange, and vision; 

 (2) physiological specializations; and (3) behavioral specializations. 



Two sections of chapter 5, reclamation of intertidal areas and uses 

 of estuaries, are relevant to the productivity of estuarine areas. 

 Although reclamation tends to destroy existing aquatic habitats, 

 its main effects are seen as being felt by migratory estuarine birds. 

 Many commercially important estuarine animal species spend at least 

 part of their life cycles there. Estuaries are areas of abundant 

 food supply, much of it unconsumed by resident species; thus, it is 

 used by a large number of fish as a nursery area. Estuaries are also 

 important to birds that feed on fish, and to shellfish, mussels, oysters, 

 and similar invertebrates. Recreational fishing, valued in the millions 

 of dollars for Texas and other coastal states, is also a reflection 

 of their overall importance. 



Studies of estuaries involved field studies of distribution and abun- 

 dance, observations of animal behavior, and laboratory studies. Other 

 brackish waters are discussed by type as they occur on a worldwide basis. 

 (G.S.) 



Keywords: invertebrates, mudflat animals, estuaries, productivity 



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