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Distribution of recent Ostracoda in the Rappahannock Estuary, Virginia

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Chesapeake Science

Abstract

The distribution of recent Ostracoda as determined from 69 bottom samples in the Rappahannock Estuary, Virginia, is related to the pattern of estuarine circulation and different types of fresh and salty water. Three ostracode biofacies are established on the basis of dominant species: (1) a river biofacies, (2) a shoal biofacies, and (3) a basin biofacies.

Although estuarine-wide ostracode populations are small, shoals of the middle estuary have large and varied populations. This abundance of individuals and variety of species may be the results of greater production associated with the introduction of river-borne nutrients and with the growth of benthic plants, or it may be due largely to the redistribution and concentration of carapaces.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Louisiana State University, 70803, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

    H. A. Elliott

  2. University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22903

    R. Ellison

  3. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, 23062, Gloucester Point, Virginia

    M. M. Nichols

Authors
  1. H. A. Elliott
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  2. R. Ellison
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  3. M. M. Nichols
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Contribution No. 236, Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

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Elliott, H.A., Ellison, R. & Nichols, M.M. Distribution of recent Ostracoda in the Rappahannock Estuary, Virginia. Chesapeake Science 7, 203–207 (1966). https://doi.org/10.2307/1350435

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1350435

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