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» General Biological Resources Benthic Habitats and Organisms: 

Benthic Habitats and Organisms (Algae, Fishes, and Invertebrates)
Algae
Dawes, Clinton J. and Jack F. Van Breedveld.  (1969).  Benthic marine algae.  47 pp.  St. Petersburg, FL: Marine Research Laboratory, Dept. of Natural Resources. (157 species of marine algae (38 Chlorophyta, 29 Phaeophyta, 85 Rhodophyta, 5 Cyanophyta) have been identified from the Hourglass cruises of the Marine Research Laboratory, Florida Board of Conservation.  The monthly collections were made on the continental shelf in the Gulf of Mexico between the entrance to Tampa Bay and Fort Myers at depths of 6 to 73 meters over a period of 28 months and included a variety of oceanographic data which have served as a basis for certain ecological observations, especially temperature relationships.  18 of the species appear to be new records for Florida .)

Schneider, Craig W. and Richard B. Searles.  (1991).  Seaweeds of the Southeastern United States.  553 pp.  Durham, NC : Duke University Press.

Woelkerling, W. J.  (1976).  South Florida benthic marine algae: keys and comments.  145 pp.  Miami, FL: Comparative Sedimentology Laboratory, Division of Marine Geology and Geophysics, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami.
Fishes
Allen, Kenneth O. and Joe W. Hardy.  (1980).  Impacts of navigational dredging on fish and wildlife: a literature review.  81 pp.  Washington, DC: Biological Services Program, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

(The document directed toward fish and wildlife biologists who review applications for dredging permits.  Literature about the impacts of navigational dredging on fish, other aquatic biota, and wildlife is reviewed.  Also included are types of dredging equipment, characteristics of dredged material, evaluation of dredged material pollution potential, and habitat development and enhancement opportunities arising from dredged material disposal.  The review contains a brief discussion of the state of knowledge and refers the reader to pertinent literature for additional information.  The discussions about impacts and habitat development are divided into "Coastal Waters" (including disposal in estuarine, continental shelf, and deep ocean waters) and "Rivers".)

Bass, D. G., Jr.  (1990).  Monitoring Florida's riverine fish communities.  Florida Scientist, 53(1): 1-10.Bortone,

Stephen A. and James L. Williams.  (1986).  Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates ( South Florida): gray, lane, mutton, and yellowtail snappers.  18 pp.  Washington, DC: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior; Vicksburg, MS: Coastal Ecology Group, Waterways Experiment Station, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Briggs, John Cameron.  (1958).  List of Florida fishes and their distribution.  Bulletin of the Florida State Museum , 2(8):223-318.Browder, J. A. and D. Moore.  (1981).  New approach to determining the quantitative relationship between fishery production and the flow of fresh water to estuaries. 

In R. Cross and D. Williams (Eds.).  Proceedings of the National Symposium on freshwater inflow to estuaries (pp. 403-430).  Washington, DC : U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services.

Champeau, T. R.  (1992).  1987-1992 completion report, South Region fisheries management, State of Florida, Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.  33 pp.  Tallahassee, FL: Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.

(This on-going study provided fishery management, public assistance, technical input, environmental protection, and educational programs to a 13-county region in Florida .  The objective of this study is to conserve fisheries resources within the region while meeting increasing needs of the public, as well as the desires and expectations of fishermen.)

Coastal Environmental Services, Inc.  (1992).  Distribution of selected fish species in Tampa Bay.  Final report, May 1992.  50 pp.  Linthicum, MD: The Corporation.Day, John W.  (1989).  Estuarine ecology.  558 pp.  New York: Wiley.
(The author covers Estuarine geomorphology and physical oceanography; Estuarine chemistry;  Estuarine phytoplankton;  Zooplankton; Salt marshes and mangrove swamps; Estuarine seagrasses; Microbial ecology and organic detritus in estuaries; Estuarine bottom and benthic subsystem; Nekton; The role of wildlife in estuarine ecosystems; Estuarine fisheries and anthropogenic impact in estuaries.)

Deegan, L.A., et al.  (1986).  Relationships among physical characteristics, vegetation distribution and fisheries yield in Gulf of Mexico estuaries.  In D. A. Wolfe (Ed.).  Estuarine Variability (pp. 83-100).  Orlando, FL: Academic Press.

Fuller, P. L., L. G. Nico and J. D. Williams.  (1999).  Nonindigenous fishes introduced into inland waters of the United States.  613 pp.  Bethesda, MD American Fisheries Society.

Fraser, T. H.  (1981).  Variation in freshwater inflow and changes in a subtropical estuarine fish community.  In R. Cross and D. Williams (Eds.).  Proceedings of the National Symposium on freshwater inflow to estuaries (pp. 296-319).  Washington, DC : U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services.

French, Carolyn and John W. Parsons (Eds.).  (1983). Florida coastal ecological characterization: a socioeconomic study of the southwestern region.  FWS/OBS-83/14.  309 pp.  Washington, DC : U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
(The document covers population demographics, transportation, utilities, recreation, tourism, mineral production, finfish and shellfish landings by species)

Freon, Pierre and Ole Arve Misund.  (1999).  Dynamics of pelagic fish distribution and behaviour: effects on fisheries and stock assessment.  348 pp.  Oxford: Fishing News Books.
(The book provides a review of dynamics of fish distribution and behavior and its effects on fisheries and stock assessment.)

Gilmore, Richard Grant.  (1988).  Subtropical seagrass fish communities: population dynamics, species guildes and microhabitat associations in the

Indian River lagoon, Florida 199pp.  Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne.Gilmore, R. G., L. H. Bullock and F. H. Berry.  (1978).  Hypothermal mortality in marine fishes for south-central Florida, January 1977.  Northeast Gulf Science, 2(2): 77-97.

Gunter, G., et al.  (1948).  Catastrophic mass mortality of marine animals and coincident phytoplankton bloom on the west coast of Florida, November 1946 to August 1947.  Tempe, AZ: Ecological Society of America.

Gunter, Gordon, Beuna S. Ballard and A. Venkataramaiah.  (1973).  Salinity problems of organisms in coastal areas subject to the effect of engineering works.  176 pp.  Vicksburg, MS: U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center Waterways Experiment Station.

Gunter, R.  (1967).  Some relationships of estuaries to the fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico.  In G. H. Lauff (Ed.).  Estuaries [papers].  American Association for the Advancement of Science Publication No. 83.  757 pp.  Washington, DC: American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Haddad, Kenneth D., et al.  (1992).  Marine resources geographic information system and fishery resources: Final Report.  240 pp.  St. Petersburg, FL: Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Marine Resources, Florida Marine Research Institute.

Haddad, Kenneth D.  (1989).  Assessment of fisheries habitat: tasks 1, 2, 3, and 4: final report for grant period 4/1/89 thru [sic] 12/31/89.  Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Marine Resources, Florida Marine Research Institute.

Hill, Jeffrey E. and Charles E. Cichra.  (2002).  Annotated bibliography for water level effects on fish populations: minimum flows and levels criteria development: evaluation of the importance of water depth and frequency of water levels/flow on fish population dynamics: literature review and summary.  63 pp.  Palatka, FL: St. Johns River Water Management District.

Hill, Jeffrey E. and Charles E. Cichra.  (2002).  Effects of water levels on fish populations: minimum flows and levels criteria development: evaluation of the importance of water depth and frequency of water levels/flow on fish population dynamics: literature review and summary.  40 pp.  Palatka, FL: St. Johns River Water Management District.

Ley, J. A., C. L. Montague and C. C. McIvor.  (1994).  Food habits of mangrove fishes: A comparison along estuarine gradients in northeastern Florida Bay.  Bulletin of Marine Science,  54(3): 881-899.
(Gut analyses of were performed on 1,081 fishes from four mangrove fishes to determine their food habits along an estuarine gradient.)

Lindall, William N.  (1973).  Alterations of estuaries of South Florida: a threat to its fish resources.  33 pp.  Seattle, WA: National Marine Fisheries Service, Scientific Publications Office.
(Based on unpublished data from 1966-1970, about 85% of the commercial fish and shellfish caught in South Florida consists of estuarine-dependent species.  The annual harvest of these species averaged more than 36 million pounds worth in excess of $10 million (ex-vessel value).  Data on the region's sport fishery are lacking, but it is estimated that the majority of the species taken by anglers are estuarine-dependent and responsible for about $575 million of the state's annual tourist industry.  Man's alterations of the estuaries are threatening these fish resources.  Some of the major alterations (reduction of freshwater runoff, domestic and industrial pollution, pesticide contamination, thermal addition, and dredging and filling) are discussed.)

Lubbers, L., W. R. Boynton and W. M. Kemp.  (1990).  Variations in structure of estuarine fish communities in relation to abundance of submersed vascular plants.  Marine Ecology Progress Series, 65(1): 1-14.
(The authors found that fish abundance, biomass and species richness were higher in vegetated areas.)

McNeese, Patricia L..  (1986).  Spatial and temporal variability of fish communities inhabiting Halodule wrightii seagrass beds in the lower Indian River estuary.  34 pp.  Unpublished master's thesis, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne.

Moe, Martin A.  (1972).  Movement and migration of South Florida fishes.  25 pp.  Technical series--Florida Dept. of Natural Resources, No. 69.  St. Petersburg: Marine Research Laboratory, Florida Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Marine Resources.

Montgomery, J. L. M. and T. E. Target.  (1992).  The nutritional role of seagrass in the diet of the omnivorous finfish, Lagodon rhomboides.  Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 158(1):  37-57.
(Pinfish feed directly on eelgrass as well as shrimp and other crustaceans)

Muller, R. G. and M. D. Murphy.  (1994).  Report on inshore finfish trends.  Florida Marine Research Report to Florida Marine Fisheries Commission.  100 pp.

Nelson, David M. and Mark E. Pattillo.  (1992).  Distribution and abundance of fishes and invertebrates in Gulf of Mexico estuaries.  2 vols.  Rockville, MD: U. S. Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service.

Pattillo, Mark E., L. P. Rozas and R. Zimmerman.  (1997).  Review of salinity requirements for selected invertebrates and fishes.  Final Report of NMFS to the EPA, Gulf of Mexico Program. 

Peebles, Ernst B.  (1996).  Ontogenetic habitat and diet selection in estuarine-dependent fishes: comparisons of observed patterns with model predictions.  101 pp.  Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of South Florida, Tampa.

Peebles, Ernest B. and Susan E. Davis.  (1989).  Riverine discharge and estuarine fish nurseries: first annual report for the ichthyoplankton survey of the Little Manatee River, Florida.  18 pp. 

(The abundance of fish eggs and young fishes in the tidal portion of the Little Manatee River was monitored on a regular basis during 1988.  Collections with fine-meshed nets were made twice each month at six locations ranging between fresh water and the open waters of Tampa Bay.  The objectives of the study were to provide a record of the use of the tidal portion of the Little Manatee River by the early stages of coastal fishes; to identify the fishes whose spawning and nursery grounds are most likely to be impacted by changes in the quantity and/or quality of riverine discharge; to identify the seasons when impact on spawning and nursery habitat would be greatest; and to initiate an investigation into the relationship between the quantity and/or quality of riverine discharge and short-term changes in the distribution of the early stages of estuarine- dependent fishes.)

Robas, Ann K.  (1970).  South Florida's mangrove-bordered estuaries, their role in sport and commercial fish production.  29 pp.  Miami, FL: University of Miami Sea Grant Institutional Program.

Rooker., J. R., et al.  (1998).  Postsettlement patterns of habitat use by sciaenid fishes in subtropical seagrass meadows.  Estuaries, 21(2): 318-327.
(The authors reported that eight species of sciaenid fishes were present in seagrass meadows, with five accounting for over 99.9% of those collected.)

Rozengurt, M. A.  (1992).  Alteration of freshwater inflows.  In R. H. Stroud (Ed.).  Stemming the tide of coastal fish habitat loss.  Marine Recreational Fisheries Symposium 14:73-80.  Savannah, GA: National Coalition for Marine Conservation.

Saloman, C. H. and S. P. Naughton.  (1979).  Fishes of the littoral zone, Pinellas County, Florida.  Florida Scientist, 42(2), 85-93.
(Over a one year period, ten species accounted for 97.7% of the individual species captured in a seine.  These included: Harengula jaguana, Anchoa hepsetus, A. mitchilli, Menidia beryllina, Menticirrhus littoralis, Opisthonema oglinum, Menticirrhus focaliger, Trachinotus carolinus, T. falcatus , and A. cubana.)

Schooley, J. K.  (1981).  Fish secondary production and ecosystem efficiency in a Florida estuary.  Estuaries, 4(3): 281-282.

Sogard, S. M., G. V. Powell, and J. G. Holmquist.  (1989).  Spatial distribution and trends in abundance of fishes residing in seagrass meadows on Florida Bay mudbanks.  Bulletin of Marine Science, 44(1): 179-199.

South Florida Restoration Science Forum.  (2000).  Fish Health in the St. Lucie Estuarine System.  South Florida Restoration Science Forum, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey, Center for Coastal Geology.
(Summary of fish health--fish with lesions, ulcers, hemorrhages, fin erosion, skeletal or fin deformities, scale disorientation--along with photographs and graphs.)

Tolan, J. M., S. A. Holt and C. P. Onuf.  (1997).  Distribution and community structure of ichthyoplankton in Laguna Madre seagrass meadows: Potential impact of seagrass species change.  Estuaries, 20(2): 450-464.

Wade, D. L.  S. Cains and A. J. Janiki.  (1992).  Distribution of selected fish species in Tampa Bay.  50 pp.  Linthicum, MD: Coastal Environmental Services, Inc.
Executive summary: http://www.tbeptech.org/TechPubs/t0592.pdf   

Wagner, C. M. and H. M. Austin.  (1999).  Correspondence between environmental gradients and summer littoral fish assemblages in low salinity reaches of the Chesapeake Bay.  Marine Ecology Progress Series, 177: 197-212.

Warren, G. L.  (2000).  Fish and aquatic invertebrate communities of the Wekiva and Little Wekiva Rivers: a baseline evaluation in the context of Florida's minimum flows and levels statutes.  2 vols.  Palatka, FL: St. Johns River Water Management District.
(This study was conducted to determine the changes in fish and aquatic invertebrate populations based on possible reduction in the flows of water in the Wekiva and Little Wekiva rivers.)

Van Os, Eleanor, Joseph D. Carroll and James Dunn.  (1981).  Creel census and the effects of freshwater discharges on sportfishing catch rates in the St. Lucie Estuary, Martin County, Florida.  Vero Beach, FL: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services.
(During flood periods, fresh water is released from Lake Okeechobee through the St. Lucie Canal.  The increased freshwater flow significantly influenced catch rates of nine important fish species.)

Warren, G. L.  (2000).  Fish and aquatic invertebrate communities of the Wekiva and Little Wekiva Rivers: a baseline evaluation in the context of Florida's minimum flows and levels statutes.  2 vols.  Palatka, FL: St. Johns River Water Management District.
(This study was conducted to determine the changes in fish and aquatic invertebrate populations based on possible reduction in the flows of water in the Wekiva and Little Wekiva rivers.)

Weinstein, Michael P.  (982).  Commentary: A need for more experimental work in estuarine fisheries ecology.  Northeast Gulf Science, 5(2): 59-64.

Winton, Trevor.  (1988).  Economic overview of commercial fisheries production and marketing in Lee County, Florida.  26 pp.  Gainesville, FL: Food and Resource Economics Dept., Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, College of Agriculture, University of Florida.

Zale, Alexander V. and Susan G. Merrifield.  (1989).  Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (South Florida): ladyfish and tarpon.  17 pp.  Vicksburg, MS: Coastal Ecology Group; Washington, DC: National Wetlands Research Center.
http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/wdb/pub/0190.pdf
Invertebrates (Crustaceans, mollusks, echinoderms (sea stars, urchins . . . ), polychaetes, and other invertebrates)
Abele, Lawrence G.  and Won Kim.  (1986).  An illustrated guide to the marine decapod crustaceans of Florida.  2 vols.  Tallahassee, FL: State of Florida, Dept. of Environmental Regulation. Ambrose, W. G. Jr.  (1989).  Effects of location and type of substratum, and adult stock on bay scallop, Argopecten irradians recruitment.  Journal of Shellfish Research, 8(2): 454-455.Arnold, William S., Kathryn G. Hagner and Dan C. Marelli.  (1996).  Monitoring bay scallop recovery and stocking efforts in Tampa Bay: final report, May 15, 1996.  33 pp.  St. Petersburg, FL: Florida Marine Research Institute.

(The document reports the first effort to monitor the growth, reproductive development, and mortality of laboratory cultured scallops planted at various sites throughout Tampa Bay.  It also reports the distribution and abundance of the natural scallop population on the bay.)

Barry A. Vittor and Associates.  (1998).  Rookery Bay, Florida benthic community assessment.  Mobile, AL: Barry A. Vittor and Associates.
http://ccmaserver.nos.noaa.gov/BCA_Reports/'97RookeryBay%20BCA%20Report.pdf
(A total of 13,481 organisms, representing 539 taxa were identified from 13 sattions.  Polychaetes were the most numerous organisms present representing 48% of the total assemblage, followed by bivalves (21.5%), malacostracans (13.1%) and gastropods (5.7%).)

Bell, S. S. and D. J. Devlin.  (1983).  Short-term macrofaunal recolonization of sediment and epibenthic habitats in Tampa Bay, Florida.  Bulletin of Marine Science,  33(1): 102-108.
(The authors measured the time required to repopulate experimentally defaunated sediments and epibenthic tubecaps.  Macrobenthic polychaetes and amphipods repopulated defaunated epibenthic structure within less than 2 days by moving through the water column and/or sediments.)

Blake, Norman J.  (1996).  Demonstration of large-scale reintroduction of the southern bay scallop to Tampa Bay, Florida: final report, January 17, 1996.  28 pp.  Tampa, FL: Dept. of Marine Science, University of South Florida.

(The southern bay scallop, Argopecten irradians concentricus, is one of the only non-finfish species to support a large, although rapidly declining, recreational interest in the state of Florida.  Bay scallops, which require good water quality, had all but disappeared from Tampa Bay by 1963.  Recent studies have indicated that sections of Tampa Bay may once again be capable of supporting viable bay scallop populations.  These scallops were seeded to several areas of the bay and also placed at various locations in the bay in cages.  The purpose of this project was to attempt to increase the population of the southern bay scallop in Tampa Bay by providing spawning stocks to various locations throughout the eastern portion of the bay.)

Bologna, P. and K. L. Heck.  (2000).  Impacts of seagrass habitat architecture on bivalve settlement.  Estuaries, 23(4): 449-457.
(The article examines effects of differing spatial scales of seagrass habitat architecture on the composition and abundance of settling bivalves in a sub-tropical seagrass community.)

Bloom, A. A., J. L. Somin and V. D. Hunter.  (1972).  Animal-sediment relations and community analysis of a Florida estuary.  Marine Biology, 13(1): 43-56.
(The authors present quantitative information on shallow water estuarine infauna of Tampa Bay.)

Brook, I. M.  (1982).  The effect of freshwater canal discharge on the stability of two seagrass benthic communities in Biscayne National Park, Florida.  International Symposium on Coastal Lagoons, Bordeaux (France), 8 Sep 1981.  Oceanologica acta, 5(4 suppl): 63-72.

Broutman, Marlene A. and Dorothy L. Leonard.  (1988).  The quality of shellfish growing waters in the Gulf of Mexico.  43 pp.  Rockville: MD:  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Cake, Edwin W.  (1983).  Habitat suitability index models: Gulf of Mexico American Oyster.  FWS/OBS-82/10.57.  37 pp.  Washington, DC: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
http://www.nwrc.gov/wdb/pub/hsi/hsi-057.pdf
(A review and synthesis of existing information were used to develop an estuarine habitat model for Gulf of Mexico stocks of the American oyster.  The model is scaled to produce an index of habitat suitability between 0 (unsuitable habitat) and 1 (optimum habitat).  Habitat suitability indices are designed for use with the Habitat Evaluation Procedures previously developed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.)

Camp, David K., William G. Lyons and Thomas H. Perkins.  (1998).  Checklists of selected shallow-water marine invertebrates of Florida.  238 pp.  St. Petersburg, FL: Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, Florida Marine Research Institute.

(The publication provides a checklist of all species of mollusks, polychaetous annelids, malacostracan crustaceans, and echinoderms known to occur in Florida's estuarine and coastal marine waters offshore to depths of approximately 37 meters.  Compilation of the version ended in November 1997.) 

Camp, D. K., S. P. Cobb and J. F. Van Breedveld.  (1973).  Overgrazing of seagrasses by a regular urchin, Lytechinus variegates.  Bioscience, 23(1): 37-38.

Cardinale, Tom and Tom Ash.  (1999).  Alafia River oyster bar restoration demonstration project.  24 pp.  Tampa, FL: Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County.
http://library.fgcu.edu/chnep/186a.pdf
(On September 15, 1995, construction began on the Alafia River Oyster Bar Restoration Demonstration Project.  The intent of the project was to re-establish oyster bars in the lower Alafia River which have historically been lost to dredging of the shipping channel and associated turning basin adjacent to Cargill Fertilizer Company.  The progress of these oyster bars has been monitored quarterly over a three year period.)

Chapman, V. J. (Ed.).  (1992).  Wet coastal ecosystems.  428 pp.  Amsterdam: Elsevier Scientific Pub. Co.
(The authors review coastal wetlands, which comprise marine and brackish salt marshes of temperate regions and mangrove swamps in tropical and subtropical regions of the world.  It includes information on the general nature of wetlands; the physiographic conditions under which they develop; the climatic conditions and soils associated with wetlands; the fauna found in them; and the uses to which wetlands have been put and the changes such uses involve.)

Clow, Lawrence W.  (1975).  Systematics of the terebellid polychaetes of South Florida.  97 pp.  Unpublished master's thesis, University of Miami, FL.

Conner, William G.  (1977).  Response of a soft-bottom ecosystem to physical perturbation.  76 pp.  Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of South Florida, Tampa.

Continental Shelf Associates.  (1991).  Southwest Florida nearshore benthic habitat study: narrative report.  54 pp.  New Orleans: U. S. Dept. of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region.

Culter, James K.  (1997).  Hillsborough River benthic fauna: a review of 1991-1992 data with respect to freshwater flow.  South Florida Water Management District.  Mote Marine Laboratory Report No. 545.  10 pp.  Sarasota, FL: Mote Marine Laboratory.
http://www.mote.org/techreps/545/545.pdf
(The purpose of the study was to assess the apparent health of the benthic organisms with respect to salinity, dissolved oxygen and river flow, and to estimate the potential effects of flow (salinity) alterations on the composition and distribution of the benthos.)

Dauer, D. M. and J. L. Simon.  (1975).  Lateral or along-shore distribution of the polychaetous annelids of an intertidal, sandy habitat.  Marine Biology,  31(4): 363-370.
(The authors examined the long-shore distribution of the polychaetous annelids of a subtropical, sandy, intertidal habitat.)

Day, John W.  (1989).  Estuarine ecology.  558 pp.  New York: Wiley.
(The author covers Estuarine geomorphology and physical oceanography; Estuarine chemistry;  Estuarine phytoplankton;  Zooplankton; Salt marshes and mangrove swamps; Estuarine seagrasses; Microbial ecology and organic detritus in estuaries; Estuarine bottom and benthic subsystem; Nekton; The role of wildlife in estuarine ecosystems; Estuarine fisheries and anthropogenic impact in estuaries.)

Delvin, Donna, Robert H. Gore and C. E. Proffitt.  (1987).  Preliminary analyses of seagrass and benthic infauna in Johnson and Clam Bays, Collier County, Florida.  Naples, FL: Dept. of Natural Resources Management.
(Looks at the problems of development and the loss of productivity in the region.)

Dittman, D., Susan E. Ford and Dianna K. Padilla.  (2001).  Effects of Perkinsus marinus on reproduction and condition of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, are seasonally variable.  Journal of Shellfish Research, 20(3): 1025-1034.

Dixon, L. K., et al.  (1993).  Bivalve shellfish contamination assessment: final.  Mote Marine Laboratory  Report no 244.  206 pp.  Sarasota, FL: Mote Marine Laboratory.
http://www.mote.org/techreps/244/244.pdf
(The study focused on two species of bivalve, Crassostrea virginica and Mercenaria sp.  The examined for levels of pathogenic bacteria, pesticides, heavy metals, and petroleum-based compounds.)

Dixon, L. K.  (1992).  Bivalve shellfish of Sarasota Bay: A framework for action.  Mote Marine Laboratory Report no 264.  34 pp.  Sarasota, FL: Mote Marine Laboratory.
http://www.mote.org/techreps/264/264.pdf
(The author selected Crassostrea virginica and Mercenaria sp. as indicator species for assessing contamination in Sarasota Bay.)

Estevez, E. D. and D. A. Bruzek.  (1986).  Survey of mollusks in southern Sarasota Bay, Florida, emphasizing edible species.  Mote Marine Laboratory Report No. 102.  97 pp.  Sarasota, FL: Mote Marine Laboratory.
http://www.mote.org/techreps/102/102.pdf
(The report describes the bay, defines traditional shellfish, reports historical shellfish landings, and identifies edible species.)

Fucik, Kenneth W., John K. Hoover and Barbara J. Morson.  (1984).  Effects of turbidity and sedimentation on tropical benthic communities: a literature review.  25 pp.  Boulder, CO: Science Applications.

Godcharles, Mark F. and Walter C. Jaap.  (1973).  Exploratory clam survey of Florida nearshore and estuarine waters with commercial hydraulic dredging gear.  77 pp.  St. Petersburg, FL: Florida Dept. of Natural Resources Marine Research Laboratory.

Godcharles, Mark F. and Walter C. Jaap.  (1973).  Fauna and flora in hydraulic clam dredge collections from Florida west and southeast coasts.  89 pp.  St. Petersburg, FL: Marine Research Laboratory.

Grabe, Stephen A., et al.  (1996).  Environmental monitoring and assessment program-estuaries West Indian Province 1993 sampling.  3 vols.  Tampa, FL: Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County.

Grabe, Stephen A.  (1998).  Overview of Manatee River benthos: 1993-1997.  Technical publication/Tampa Bay Estuary Program, No. 02-98.  1 vol.  Tampa, FL: Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County.
(This report presents data from benthic monitoring of Manatee River, performed in 1993-1997.)

Grabe, Stephen A. and David J. Karlen.  (1996).  Technical report: a synoptic survey of the benthic macroinvertebrates of the Boca Ciega Bay estuarine system, Pinellas County, Florida, October 1995.  42 pp.  Tampa, FL: Tampa Bay National Estuary Program.

Heaney, James P., et al.  (1981).  Nationwide assessment of receiving water impacts from urban stormwater pollution: Vol. 1.  140 pp.  Cincinnati, OH: Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U. S. Environmental  Protection Agency.

Heil, David C.  (1986).  Evaluation of trace metal monitoring in Florida shellfish.  186 pp.  Tallahassee, FL: Florida Dept. of Natural Resources.

Hesselman, Donald M.  (1988).  Reproduction in hard shell clams, Mercenaria spp. from the Indian River, Florida: reproductive cycle and pathology.  88 pp.  Unpublished master's thesis, University of South Florida, Tampa. Irlandi, E., S. Macia and J. Serafy.  (1997).  Salinity reduction from freshwater canal discharge: effects on mortality and feeding of an urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) and a gastropod (Lithopoma tectum).  Bulletin of Marine Science, 61(3): 869-879.
(The paper examines the effects of rapid salinity fluctuation on survivorship and grazing rates of two common herbivores in South Florida seagrass beds.)

Karlen, David J.  and Stephen A. Grabe.  (1996).  Technical report: a synoptic survey of the benthic macroinvertebrates of Terra Ceia Bay and the Manatee River, October 1993-1995.  Technical publication/Tampa Bay National Estuary Program ; 03-96.  114 pp.  Tampa, FL: Tampa Bay National Estuary Program.
(A benthic monitoring program has been included in the draft Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for Tampa Bay.  This report summarizes the results of the first three years (1993-1995) of monitoring in the Manatee River and Terra Ceia Bay segments of Tampa Bay.)

Killam, Kristie A., Randall J. Hochberg and Emily C. Rzemien.  (1992).  Synthesis of basic life histories of Tampa Bay species.  Technical publication/Tampa Bay National Estuary Program No.10-92.  Columbia, MD: Versar.
(The first objective of this project was to identify important biological resources in the Tampa Bay estuary.  The second objective was to identify habitat types critical to the chosen species.  This report synthesizes information collected on the life history and ecology of bay species and identify critical habitats potentially important to the sustenance of and ecological condition for those species.)

Kim, Yungkul and E. N. Powell.  (1994).  Long-term changes in the distribution of Perkinsus ma-rinus in Gulf of Mexico oysters, a product of climatic cycles? Journal of Shellfish Research, 13(1):  294.

LeCroy, Sara E. and Johnny S. Richardson.  (2000).  An illustrated identification guide to the nearshore marine and estuarine gammaridean Amphipoda of Florida.  Tallahassee, FL: Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, Division of Resource Assessment and Management, Bureau of Laboratories. 
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/labs/library/keys.htm

Lenihan, Hunter S. and Charles H. Peterson.  (1998).  How habitat degradation through fishery disturbance enhances impacts of hypoxia on oyster reefs.  Ecological Applications, 8(1): 128-140.
(The authors concluded that interaction of reef habitat degradation through fishery disturbance and hypoxia, in this study, caused oyster mortality and influenced the abundance and distribution of fish and invertebrate species that utilize this temperate reef habitat.)

Lodge, T.  (1983).  Animal abundance and distribution in Rookery Bay Sanctuary, Collier County, Florida.  193 pp.  Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Miami, FL.

Mahadevan, S. and G. W. Patton.  A study of sieve size (screen mesh-opening) effects on benthic fauna collected from Anclote Anchorage.  EPA contract #68-01-5016.  Mote Marine Laboratory Report No. 11.  28 pp.  Sarasota, FL: Mote Marine Laboratory.
http://www.mote.org/techreps/11/11.pdf
(The study examines the effects of sieve size (1.0-0.5 mm) on the description of species composition.)

Mather, John Russell, Frank J. Swaye and Bruce J. Hartmann.  (1972).  Influence of the climatic water balance on conditions in the estuarine environment.  73 pp.  Elmer, NJ: C. W. Thornthwaite Associates.

McNulty, J. Kneeland.  (1970).  Effects of abatement of domestic sewage pollution on the benthos, volumes of zooplankton, and the fouling organisms of Biscayne Bay, Florida.  107 pp.  Coral Gables, FL: University of Miami Press.
(Various elements of the biota of northern Biscayne Bay, Florida, were studied before and after abatement of pollution.  The pollution consisted of 136 to 227 million liters per day of untreated domestic sewage.  The study includes comparison of preabatement with postabatement distribution and abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates, concentration of dissolved inorganic phosphate-phosphorus, displacement volumes of zooplankton, numbers of barnacles, numbers of amphipod tubes, and volumes of all fouling organisms.)

McPherson, B. F., et al.  (1976).  Environment of South Florida: a summary report: a description of the South Florida ecosystem and changes resulting from man's activities.  81 pp.  Washington, DC: Govt. Printing Office.

(This summary report is an overview of the South Florida environment.  It is based on and covers the highlights of 51 separate reports prepared as part of the South Florida Environmental Study.  The study identified and described the natural ecosystems of South Florida as they functioned before man began to have major impacts on these systems.  Where remnants of natural systems still function as before, they were measured and described.  The study also encompassed the agricultural and urban developments of South Florida and their impacts on the ecosystems.)

Milligan, M. R.  (1990).  Marco Island benthos.  1990: a report.  Coastal Engineering Consultants, Inc.  Mote Marine Technical Report no 168.  Sarasota, FL: Mote Marine Laboratory.
http://www.mote.org/techreps/168/168.pdf
(A total of 128 macroinvertebrate taxa was identified from benthic sampling.  This included 49 annelids (47 polychaetes and 2 oligochaetes), 19 mollusks (8 gastropods, 9 bivalves, 1 scaphapod, and polyphacophoran), 49 crustaceans (21 amphipods, 8 decapods, 7 ostracods, 5 isopods, 4 cumaceans, 2 tanaids, 1 mysid, and 1 barnacle), 3 echinoderms, and 8 taxa from miscellaneous phyla.)

Montague, Clay L., Richard D. Bartleson, and Janet A. Ley.  (1989).  Assessment of benthic communities along salinity gradients in northeastern Florida Bay.  Final report.  160 pp.  Gainesville, FL: University of Florida.
(In March 1986, an assessment of benthic animals and plants was begun in several tributaries and near-shore bays of northeast Florida Bay in the area south and west of C-111 canal.  The purpose was to provide a baseline of ecological information about estuarine habitat which could be compared to the same sites after canal modifications.  In the process, an attempt was made to gain insight into the types of effects to be expected if future canal modifications alter freshwater delivery to northeast Florida Bay and hence salinity (a likely occurrence).  The long-term goal begun with this research is to develop management priniciples that address ecological impact in estuaries.)

Mulholland, R.  (1984).  Habitat suitability index models: hard clam.  FWS/OBS 82/1077.  27 pp.  Washington, DC: USFWS.
Abstract and full text: http://www.nwrc.gov/wdb/pub/hsi/hsi-077.pdf 
(Covers Mercenaria mercenaria and Mercenaria campechiensis, two species of hard clam occurring along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.)

Muller, J. W., et al.  (1989).  Summary report on the vascular plants, animals and plant communities endemic to Florida.  Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.  Nongame Wildlife Program.  Technical Report; No. 7.  113 pp.  Tallahassee, FL: Nongame Wildlife Program.

Murdock, James F.  (1955).  Investigation of the Lee County bay scallop fishery [a report] Submitted to Florida State Board of Conservation.  101 pp.  Coral Gables, FL: Marine Laboratory, University of Miami.
(Documents the history, operation, and yield of a scallop fishery operating in Lee County, Florida.  Figures are provided for 1928-1953, and labor practices, management, and other data are included.  Concludes with a recommendation to the Florida State Board of Conservation that, assuming pollution does not rise and fishing remains at stable levels, no regulation of the fishery is required.)

Nelson, David M. and Mark E. Pattillo.  (1992).  Distribution and abundance of fishes and invertebrates in Gulf of Mexico estuaries.  2 vols.  Rockville, MD: U. S. Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service.

Neyrey, E., J. Stevenson and M. Marney.  (2001).  Review of Gulf oyster industry program grant projects: Louisiana oyster leases vs. coastal restoration and clean-up of contaminated oyster beds.  In Aquaculture 2001 (p. 473).  Lake Buena Vista, FL, 21-25 Jan 2001.  Baton Rouge: World Aquaculture Society, Louisiana State University Baton Rouge.

Pattillo, Mark E., et al.  (1997).  Distribution and abundance of fishes and invertebrates in Gulf of Mexico estuaries.  Vol. 2, Species life history summaries.  277 pp.

Pattillo, Mark E., L. P. Rozas and R. Zimmerman.  (1997).  A review of salinity requirements for selected invertebrates and fishes.  Final Report of NMSF to the EPA, Gulf of Mexico Program. 

Paynter, Kennedy T. and Eugene M. Burreson.  (1991).  Effects of Perkinsus marinus infection in the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica: II. Disease development and impact on growth rate at different salinities.  Journal of Shellfish Research, 10(2): 425-431

Reece, K. S., D. Bushek, K. L. Hudson and J. E. Graves.  (2001).  Geographic distribution of Perkinsus marinus genetic strains along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the USA.  Marine Biology, 139(6): 1047-1055.

Rice, Stanley A., Bruce R. Johnson, and Ernest D. Estevez.  (1990).  Wood-boring marine and estuarine animals in Florida.  28 pp.  Gainesville, FL: Florida Sea Grant College Program, University of Florida.

(The paper examines the distribution and impact of the marine borer, Sphaeroma terebrans on wooden structures in Florida waters.  Data collection and analysis were conducted over a 30 month period beginning in July 1985 with site visits to all coastal areas of Florida except the Florida Keys.  In the process of collecting data on S. terebrans, significant information was also collected on other marine wood borers throughout the state.  This information is included in the report.)

Roberts, Thomas H.  (1991).  Habitat value of man-made coastal marshes in Florida.  42 pp.  Vicksburg, MS: U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center, Waterways Experiment Station.

(Twenty-two man-made coastal marshes of various ages were studied to determine their similarity to natural marshes.  The majority of the sites were dominated Spartina alterniflora.  Sites were located throughout northern and central Florida and ranged in age from approximately 1 to 10 years.  The focus of the study was on the fish and wildlife habitat value provided by created wetlands.  Vegetation characteristics were highly variable, but sites that were properly planned, constructed, and maintained served as viable habitat for animals normally associated with coastal marsh systems.  Factors influencing site use by various animal groups and suggestions for future mitigation efforts are discussed.)

Rouse, W. L.  (1969).  Littoral crustacea from Southwest Florida.  Quarterly Journal of the Florida Academy of Science.  32(2): 127-152.

Santos, Stuart L.  (1979).  Cyclic disturbance, recolonization and stability in an estuarine soft-bottom infaunal macrobenthic community.  143 pp.  Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of South Florida, Tampa.

Santos, S. L. and J. L. Simon.  (1980).  Marine soft-bottom community establishment following annual defaunation: larval or adult recruitment? Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2(3): 235-241.
(The authors examined recolonizationof soft-bottom communities following annual summer defaunation, and determined that majority of the initial community was established by larval rather than adult settlement.)

Santos, S. L. and J. L. Simon.  (1974).  Distribution and abundance of the polychaetous annelids in a South Florida estuary.  Bulletin of Marine Science, 24(3): 669-689.
(The authors examined the distribution and abundance of polychaetous annelids in a subtropical estuarine environment in areas containing zones of Thalassia testudinum, Diplanthera wrightii, and sand.)

Savage, Thomas, James R. Sullivan, and Charles E. Kalman.  (1975).  Analysis of stone crab (Menippe mercenaria) landings on Florida's west coast, with a brief synopsis of the fishery.  37 pp.  St. Petersburg, FL: Florida Dept. of Natural Resources, Marine Research Laboratory.

Schmidt, Thomas W.  (1991).  Scientific studies in the coastal and estuarine areas of Everglades National Park: an annotated bibliography.  199 pp.  Atlanta, GA: U. S. Dept. of the Interior, National Park Service, Southeast Regional Office, Office of Science and Natural Resources Management.

Simon, N. S., T. Cox and R. Spencer.  (1998).  Data for periphyton and water samples collected from the South Florida Ecosystem, 1995 and 1996.  U. S. Geological Survey, OFR-98-76.  Reston, VA: U. S. Dept. of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey.
http://sofia.usgs.gov/publications/ofr/98-76/
(This report presents data for samples of periphyton and water collected in 1995 and 1996 from Water Conservation Areas, the Big Cypress National Preserve, and the Everglades National Park in South Florida.  Periphyton samples were analyzed for concentrations of total mercury, methylmercury, nitrogen, phosphorus, organic carbon, and inorganic carbon.  Water-column samples collected on the same dates as the periphyton samples were analyzed for concentrations of major ions.)

Soniat, Thomas M.  (1996).  Epizootiology of Perkinsus marinus disease of eastern oysters in the Gulf of Mexico.  Journal of Shellfish Research, 15(1): 35-43.

Soniat, Thomas M., Jim Simons and Eric N. Powell.  (1992).  Gulf of Mexico oyster bibliography.  59 pp.  Galveston, TX: Sea Grant College Program, Texas A&M University.

South Florida multi-species recovery plan.  (1999).  1 vol.  Atlanta, GA;  Southeast Region, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
(The sections cover South Florida restoration ecology, ecosystem management (by ecosystem) and endangered species (by individual species).)

Stanley, Jon G. and Mark A. Sellers.  (1986-07).  Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Gulf of Mexico): American oyster.  25 pp.  Washington, DC: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior.

Stoner, A. W.  (1980).  The role of seagrass biomass in the organization of benthic macrofaunal assemblages.  Bulletin of Marine Science, 30(3): 537-551.
(The authors reported that the biomass of benthic macrophytes, independent of sediment granulometry and hydrodynamic effects, was an important regulator of species abundances, dominance, diversity, and trophic organization in macrofaunal assemblages.)

Taylor, John L.  (1971).  Polychaetous annelids and benthic environments in Tampa Bay, Florida.  Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Florida, Tampa.

Taylor, J. l., J. P. Hall and C. H. Saloman.  (1970).  Mollusks and benthic environments in Hillsborough Bay, Florida.  Fishery Bulletin,  68(2): 191-202.
(Examination of the benthic mollusks and sediments in Hillsborough Bay, showed that the diversity and abundance of mollusks was affected by bottom conditions, which were influenced in varying degrees by domestic and industrial pollution and dredging.)

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  (1998).  Multi-species recovery plan for the threatened and endangered species of South Florida.  2 vols.  Atlanta, GA: The Service. Volety, A. K.  (2001).  Susceptibility of cultured Perkinsus marinus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus cells to hemocytes of eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica.  In Aquaculture 2001 (p. 668).  Lake Buena Vista, FL, 21-25 Jan 2001.  Baton Rouge: World Aquaculture Society, Louisiana State University Baton Rouge.

Volety, A. K., M. Savarese and S. G. Tolley.  (2001).  Disease status and physiological responses of oysters as indicators of watershed alteration effects in Southwest Florida estuaries.  In Aquaculture 2001 (p. 667).  Lake Buena Vista, FL, 21-25 Jan 2001.  Baton Rouge: World Aquaculture Society, Louisiana State University Baton Rouge.
(Preliminary results of the study indicated that in summer months, the mean prevalence of P. marinus infection in oysters varied between 33-73% depending on the location.)

Volety, A. K. and W. S. Fisher.  (2000).  In vitro killing of Perkinsus marinus by hemocytes of oysters Crassostrea virginica.  Journal of Shellfish Research, 19(2):  827-834.

Warren, G. L.  (2000).  Fish and aquatic invertebrate communities of the Wekiva and Little Wekiva Rivers: a baseline evaluation in the context of Florida's minimum flows and levels statutes.  2 vols.  Palatka, FL: St. Johns River Water Management District.
(This study was conducted to determine the changes in fish and aquatic invertebrate populations based on possible reduction in the flows of water in the Wekiva and Little Wekiva rivers.)

Wells, Harry W.  (1961).  The fauna of oyster beds, with special reference to the salinity factor.  Ecological Monographs, 31(3): 239-266.

Widdows, J., R., I. E. Newell and R. Mann.  (1989).  Effects of hypoxia and anoxia on survival, energy metabolism, and feeding of oyster larvae, Crassostrea virginica.  Biological Bulletin, 177(1): 154-166.
(The tolerance of Crassostrea virginica larvae to anoxia increases with its developmental stage and body size.)

Wilson, P. A., et al.  (1988).  Distribution of Perkinsus marinus and its effect on reproductive development in oyster populations in the Gulf of Mexico.  Journal of Shellfish Research, 7(1): 205.  1988 Annual Meeting of the National Shellfisheries Association, New Orleans, LA.
(The study examines three regional foci of high P. marinus infection: the northeast and central coasts of Texas, central Louisiana, and Southwest Florida.  Factors significantly affecting the intensity of the infection include salinity, local agricultural land use, and local industrial land use)

Wolfe, Steven H. and Richard D. Drew (Eds.).  (1990).  An Ecological characterization of the Tampa Bay watershed.  334 pp.  Washington, DC: U. S. Dept. of the Interior, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
(This 1990 report provides a review and synthesis of available literature on the ecology of the Tampa Bay drainage basin.  It focuses on the manner in which the drainage basin functions as an integrated ecological system.  Chapters 2 through 4 describe the geology and physiography of the study area, the climate, and the characteristics of ground and surface waters.  Chapter 5 describes plant communities and their succession.  Chapter 6 deals with fish and wildlife, their habits, and their habitat preferences.)

York, Darryl.  (1994).  Recreational-boating disturbances of natural communities and wildlife: an annotated bibliography.  30 pp.  Washington, DC: U. S. Dept. of the Interior, National Biological Survey.
http://www.dka.gp.usbr.gov/redriver/PhaseIb/appI.pdf.