VERTEBRATES OTHER THAN FISHES 



APPENDICULARIIDAE Appendicularians 



Appendicularians occurred in small numbers (1-60 specimens) in seven of 

 the plankton samples. Because of the transparency and size (9-10 mm.), this 

 pelagic tunicate occasionally may have been overlooked and may be more abundant 

 than is indicated by the catch records. 



CHELONIIDAE Sea Turtles 



Caretta cnretta Atlantic Loggerhead Tur- 



tle 



On August 17, 1957, the senior author noticed a turtle swimming in the basin 

 near the culverts. It seemed unconcerned by the excitement and commotion that 

 its presence caused among a large gathering of spectators and swam close to 

 shore where it was easily dip-netted. The turtle, identified as a young loggerhead, 

 measured 36.5 cnn. in shell length and was the only turtle captured within the 

 area. 



PHYTOPLANKTON 



Various phytoplankters, usually in relatively small numbers, were observed 

 in most of the catches. Occasionally, blooms of diatoms and blue -green algae 

 (Trichodesmium) dominated the samples, the former numerically, the latter both in 

 numbers and in volume, often forming a dense matrix. Diatoms were especially 

 abundant in April, October, and November 1955, and in March 1956. In all in- 

 stances, diatom abundance occurred in late fall, winter, and early spring. No 

 pattern was apparent in the seasonal occurrence or abundance of blue-green 

 algae. Extremely heavy blooms were observed in March and May 1955. 



INVERTEBRATES 



PROTOZOA 



DINOFLAGELLIDA 



A number of species of dinoflagellates are known to be present in East Lagoon 

 waters, but only one, Noctiluca scintillans (Macartney), was noted in our collections. 

 It occurred sporadically, occasionally in blooms that persisted for several weeks. 

 One such bloom was observed in January 1955, lasting from the 3rd to the 28th. 

 In 3 out of 13 samples obtained during the month, Noctiluca fornned a dense, 

 cohesive matrix. A sinnilar instance of exceptional abundance occurred March 

 7-19. 1958. Like the diatoms, this dinoflagellate was found in large nunnbers only 

 during late fall, winter, and early spring. 



COELENTERATA Polyps 



Various types of coelenterates, mostly in the medusa stage, were of common 

 occurrence throughout the entire period of study, frequently comprising 95 percent 



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