consistent at IN and KF, where lower numbers have generally been collected. 

 The 1983 abundances of Arlcldea at EF, IN and GN were consistent with 

 previous years values. Those at JC were generally higher than those 

 obtained in the past, continuing an apparent trend of increased abundance. 



Protodorvillea gaspeensis 



Protodorvillea gaspeensis is a small dorvilleid polychaete that 

 commonly inhabits shallow subtidal areas where sediments are composed of 

 sand or sandy mud. During 1983, Protodorvillea was among the top four at 

 dominants at only EF and was among the top ten at only one other station 

 (GN) . This species has consistently been most abundant at stations where 

 sediments generally contain large amounts of shell (i.e. EF) . Since 1976, 

 the abundance of this taxon has exhibited considerable within year 

 variations, although periods of peak abundance have not consistently 

 occurred in any one season. From 1980-83, densities of this species at EF 

 were higher than those observed in the previous three years (Fig. 13 I) . 

 In addition, both within year and between replicate variability has increased, 

 Year-to-year variability has also increased at the GN station since 1981. 

 The increased density observed at JC began soon after the smaller mesh 

 sieve was used to process infaunal samples (March 1979); however increased 

 density at EF began in 1980, six sampling quarters after the smaller mesh 

 was used. Thus, it is unlikely that the observed increase at EF was a 

 sampling artifact. Densities of Protodorvillea observed in 1983 were 

 within the range observed in past years. More importantly, this species 

 remained dominant at those subtidal stations where it had been abundant in 

 past years. 



Tharyx spp . 



Tharyx spp. are surface deposit-feeders that ranked among the top A at 

 only GN during 1983, but was among the top ten at EF and JC . Although in 

 early years (particularly prior to September 1977), taxonomic problems with 

 this group make density comparisons inappropriate, it has been an important 

 component of the both GN and JC communities. In June 1981, this species 

 became a dominant also at EF. Tharyx spp. have been most abunaaat at GN 



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