dredging, filling, and associated effects. Density of seagrass was correlated 

 positively with abundance of infauna, and in Lower Boca Ciega Bay seagrass was 

 about as abundant as in other places in the Gulf of Mexico. - J.L.M. 



1782 



Taylor, John L.,and Carl H. Saloman. 1969. 



Benthic project. In Rept. Bu. Comm. Fish. Biol. Lab., St. Petersburg Beach, 

 Florida, fisc. yr. 1968. James E. Sykes (Director). U.S. Dept. Interior, 

 Fish Wildl. Serv., Circ. 313: 3-10. 



Study of benthic ecology in estuaries of the eastern Gulf of Mexico began in 

 1963. Particular attention was paid to organisms with actual or potential 

 commercial value, including southern quahog, Uevoenavia eampechiensis . 

 Growth of a clam population in lower Boca Ciega Bay was recorded for the 5th 

 yr. Average length was 5 mm greater than in 1967 and nearly twice the mean 

 length of those measured in 1964. Poor setting was illustrated by scarcity 

 of small clams. Six large clams, including a record size for northern Boca 

 Ciega Bay, ranged in length from 166 to 179 mm, and ages were estimated at 

 14 to 20 yrs. - J.L.M. 



1783 



Taylor, John L.,and Carl H. Saloman. 1970. 



Benthic project. In Rept. Bu. Comm. Fish. Biol. Lab., St. Petersburg Beach, 

 Florida, fisc. yr. 1969. J. E. Sykes (edj . U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Circ. 

 342: 3-10. 



Distribution of southern quahog in Tampa Bay, Fla. is wide. It is especially 

 abundant in Boca Ciega Bay. Typical habitat was firm sandy sediment and 

 salinity 24°/°° or higher. Other preferred conditions were: mean grain size, 

 fine sand (0.165 to 0.125 mm); weight % CaC0 3 1 to 30; weight % organic C less 

 than 9; weight % organic N 2; and poorly sorted; current to 1.3 m/sec; temp 

 not limiting; pH less than 7; dissolved 2 saturated; depth less than 10 m; 

 vegetation, turtle grass. Scarcity of quahog in Hillsborough Bay was 

 attributed mainly to pollution and its effect on bottom conditions. Relation 

 of shell height and width to length and age, and length (and age) in relation 

 to weight are well understood. Data are presented in graphic form, not in a 

 table. Conditions were favorable for clam culture in Tampa Bay, but success 

 will depend on predator control. - J.L.M. 



1784 



Taylor, John L.,and Carl H. Saloman. 1972. 



Nereid shell blisters in the southern quahog clam. Quart. J. Florida Acad. 

 Sci. 35(1) : 21-26. 



The nereid polychaete Neanthes arenaoeodentata=Neanthes oaudata is the 

 apparent cause of shell blisters in Mercenaria eampechiensis in Boca Ciega 

 Bay, Florida. Incidence of blisters averaged 37% and ranged from 30% to 51%. 

 Among dead shells collected in the vicinity 44% incidence was observed. In 

 most clams blisters were found on one valve only, at the posterior end. In 

 some clams the posterior adductor and retractor muscles were partially 

 destroyed. N. arenaceodentata was caught mainly in relatively high salinity, 

 mostly above 25°/oo. The largest specimen collected was about 70 mm long by 

 4 mm wide, and the largest in a shell blister was 20 by 1 mm. Worms longer 

 than 15 mm were sexually mature. Shell blisters consisted of a raised 

 conchiolin membrane, which separates the worm from the mantle cavity. The 

 worm accumulates fecal material and detritus which gives the blister a dark 

 and unattractive appearance, and makes infested individuals unacceptable as 

 half-shell or steamer clams. Blister formation probably impairs the vitality 

 of the host, and in some cases causes damage to soft tissues. - J.L.M. 



492 



