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BIOGEOGRAPHY OF BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES IN ESTUARIES ALONG THE GULF OF MEXICO AND WESTERN ATLANTIC COASTS
Citation:
Engle, V D. AND J K. Summers. BIOGEOGRAPHY OF BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES IN ESTUARIES ALONG THE GULF OF MEXICO AND WESTERN ATLANTIC COASTS. Presented at 15th Biennial International Estuarine Research Federation Conference, New Orleans, LA, Sept. 25-30, 1999.
Description:
The community composition of benthic macroinvertebrates from 870 estuarine sites was examined to determine boundaries of biogeographical provinces along the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic coasts of the United States. Our objective was to confirm or challenge established boundaries for marine biogeographical provinces using estuarine fauna. We segmented the coastline from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Rio Grande, Texas into grid cells with dimensions of 1| latitude and 2 to 4| longitude. Using cluster analysis, we evaluated the benthic community composition within grid cells and compared the similarities to salinity, sediment type, and depth. We then compared the overall community composition to determine similarities between adjacent grid cells. We confirmed that a longitudinal gradient existed along the Gulf of Mexico coast and a latitudinal gradient existed along the Atlantic coast. Based on cluster analyses and an analysis of endemic species, the following coastal biogeographical provinces are proposed: (1) the Virginian province, from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Wilmington, North Carolina, (2) the Gulf of Mexico, from Rio Grande, Texas to Cape Romano, Florida, and (3) south Florida, south of latitude 26|N. The regions encompassing South Carolina, Georgia, and northern Florida represent transitional areas between temperate and tropical provinces.