major storms); (2) nearly 50% of all the storms fell with three general tracts 
(vectors); (3) of 39 storms analyzed since 1916, rainfall from individual storms made 
up 1.7 to 14% of annual rainfall; (4) storms from different vectors produced different 
rainfall characteristics; and (5) 11 storms from two vectors produced more than twice 
as much rain as other storms (averaging 213 mm). From these observations, two 
generalizations can be made: storms that affect the Bay bottom and coastline occur at 
reasonably predictable intervals of one every 3 - 5 yrs and storms which produce 
extreme freshwater runoff occur once every 6-7 yrs. The significance of tropical 
storms becomes apparent when these frequencies are understood. 
1920 0 
Simpson, C. T. (1920) In Florida Waters . G. P. Putnam's Sons., New York. 404 pp. 
(DATE OF SAMPLING UNKNOWN OR NOT APPLICABLE.] This book is an account of a 
naturalist's observations on the life, physical geography, and geology of the tropical 
part of the state of Florida. The author lived in South Florida from 1882 until the 
1920s. During this time he "thoroughly explored the territory described in this volume, 
both as a collector and a general naturalist." He notes, "To-day most of its hammocks 
are destroyed, the streams are being dredged out and deepened, the Everglades are 
nearly drained; even the pine forests are being cut down. At the time when I first 
resided in the State, flamingoes, roseate spoonbills, scarlet ibises, and the beautiful 
plumed herons were abundant. Deer and otter could be seen at any time and the west 
coast waters were alive with immense schools of mullet and other fish, while manatee 
were not rare. The streams and swamps were full of alligators; in fact the wonderful 
fauna of our region filled the land and the waters everywhere. It seemed to me fitting 
that some record of this life should be made, in view of the fact that it is so rapidly 
disappearing - and forever." Simpson's work covers the Florida Keys, the Ten Thousand 
Islands, Cape Sable, the Everglades south coast, the mangrove shore, and other inland 
areas. 
1920 - 1960 
Wade, R. A. (1962) The tarpon, Megalops atlanticus, and the ox-eye, Megalops 
cyprinioides, emphasizing larval development. M. S.. Thesis, University of Miami., Coral 
Gables, FL. 168 pp. 
The distribution of the genus Megalops in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans briefly 
discussed. Colloquial names for both species are given. Materials and methods of 
collection and study of the larval and juvenile specimens from the DANA, GILL and TOTO 
cruises and miscellaneous collections obtained from 1920 to 1960 for North Carolina, 
Florida, Cuba, Haiti, and Puerto Rico are summarized. Florida Bay specimens were 
collected in 1957. Stages were designated for the purpose of describing the unusual 
post-larval development of Megalops. Characters found useful in separating the two 
species were eye diameter, prepelvic length, fin-ray and myomere counts. A 
developmental series consisting of seven Stage-1, 11 Stage-11, 217 Stage-ll I A, and 221 
Stage-1 MB specimens of Megalops atlanticus and 69 Stage-1, 15 Stage-ll, and 5 Stage- 
IIIA specimens of M. cyprinoides ranging in size from 11.0 mm to 311.0 mm is 
presented and representative specimens are described and figured. This is the first 
time that Stage-1 specimens of M. cyprinoides were available for study. Indices and 
graphs of gross morphological changes occurring during development are presented. The 
majority of obvious body proportions in Stages I, II, and III A show allometry with 
reference to head length and standard length, all the proportions becoming isometric in 
Stage III. The geographical distribution of the material studied and records from the 
literature are presented. The known range of M. atlanticus includes the middle and 
southern Atlantic states, Gulf states, the Caribbean Sea, the Bahamas, and the northern 
and eastern coasts of South America to Brazil. The known range of M. cyprinoides 
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