texasianus, the common pelecypod, ranked fourth in abundance. 



The total number of individuals caught at each station in the 

 eight sampling trips was higher at the stations near the west end of 

 the study area. On transects 1, 2, and 3 the total number of 

 individuals was 1,342; on transects 4, 5, and 6 the number was 1,902; 

 and on transects 7, 8, and 9 the number was 2,372 (Table 34). The 

 western end of the study area is also where the storm damage was the 

 highest. 



The increase in individuals after the storm was mainly due to an 

 increase in number of E. talpoida (Fig. 36) . Although the number of 

 species increased, the number per species was very low. Population 

 levels fluctuate to a great degree in this habitat (Table 33) as 

 spawning, recruitment of young, and mortality occur. 



The small size of E. talpoida indicates a spawning occurred a 

 short time before the storm. These recruitments increased the number 

 of individuals for the 6 days after the storm. There is no explanation 

 for the rapid decrease in numbers of E. talpoida after 29 September. 



Emerita talpoida was present at each station on all sampling trips. 

 Its abundance was the lowest before the storm. The numbers of 

 individuals increased through 29 September, 6 days after the storm, 

 and then decreased (Fig. 36). 



The distribution of E. talpoida along the beach gradually increased 

 from east to west (stations 1 to 9) . The total number of individuals 

 equaled 572 on transects 1, 2, and 3; 1,009 on transects 4, 5, and 6; 

 and 1,558 on transects 7, 8, and 9 (Table 34; Fig. 37). 



The new species, Eaustorius n. sp., is a dominant amphipod 

 inhabiting the swash zone that was present at 86 percent of the 

 stations during the 8 sampling days. Abundance was the highest before 

 the storm. After Eloise, its numbers decreased until 6 days after 

 Eloise when they increased and almost reached pre-storm numbers 

 (Fig. 36). 



The numbers of Eaustorius n. sp. were higher in the center part of 

 the transects than at the ends. The average number of Eaustorius n. 

 sp. caught per sampling trip was 16.6 on transects 1, 2, and 3; 23.7 

 on transects 4, 5, and 6; and 14.8 on transects 7, 8, and 9 (Fig. 37). 



The polychaete, S. squamata, was present at 86 percent of the 

 stations during the 8 sampling days. Its abundance gradually increased 

 from a low of three individuals on the day before the storm to a high 

 of 192 individuals 14 days after the storm (Fig. 36). 



109 



