CONTENTS 



Page 



I INTRODUCTION 7 



II DISTRIBUTION 7 



1. Introduction 7 



2. Methods and Materials 8 



3. Results 10 



4. Disctission 15 



5. Conclusions 18 



III SEDIMENT STUDIES 19 



1. Introduction 19 



2. Methods and Materials ......... 19 



3. Results 19 



4. Discussion 20 



5. Conclusions 24 



IV SEA OTTER PREDATION ON PISMO CLAMS 24 



1. Introduction 24 



2. Methods and Materials 24 



3. Results 25 



4. Discussion 25 



5. Conclusion 26 



V REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE 26 



1. Introduction 26 



2. Methods and Materials 27 



3. Results 27 



4. Discussion 35 



5. Conclusions 44 



VI AGE AND GROWTH 44 



1. Introduction 44 



2. Methods and Materials 44 



3. Results and Discussion 47 



4. Conclusions 51 



VII SUMMARY 54 



LITERATURE CITED 55 



APPENDIX ..... 61 



