Tunicata taxonomy, biodiversity, and distribution off
Florida’s Coast in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico
Yasmin Emery, Michael A. Goltz, and Shannon R. Senokossoff
St. Petersburg College, Clearwater Florida
St. Petersburg College, Clearwater Florida
ABSTRACT:
Due to the lack of data and understanding of the ecological presence of Tunicates along the Florida gulf coast, a study of the quantity and species of Tunicates was undertaken to further understand the nature and productivity of artificial reefs in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. Tunicates are chordate filter feeders characterized by sac-like bodies and sessile adult lifestyles. Much like plants, they cannot displace themselves to escape harsh conditions, and this makes them effective biological indicators of reef conditions. Tunicates appear to be remarkably well represented on artificial reefs in Pinellas County. By analyzing the species composition and areal extent of tunicates on the reef we can begin to explore questions of succession on artificial reef substrate. Ultimately by studying tunicates that populate both artificial and natural reefs we can speculate on the relative conditions of the water, organic components, location, substrate attachment, and other elements that allow these types of Tunicates to proliferate and/ or dominate artificial vs natural reefs. Most significantly we hope to answer questions about the role of tunicates in the relative quality of artificial reefs in terms of providing habitat, food and clean water.
Due to the lack of data and understanding of the ecological presence of Tunicates along the Florida gulf coast, a study of the quantity and species of Tunicates was undertaken to further understand the nature and productivity of artificial reefs in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. Tunicates are chordate filter feeders characterized by sac-like bodies and sessile adult lifestyles. Much like plants, they cannot displace themselves to escape harsh conditions, and this makes them effective biological indicators of reef conditions. Tunicates appear to be remarkably well represented on artificial reefs in Pinellas County. By analyzing the species composition and areal extent of tunicates on the reef we can begin to explore questions of succession on artificial reef substrate. Ultimately by studying tunicates that populate both artificial and natural reefs we can speculate on the relative conditions of the water, organic components, location, substrate attachment, and other elements that allow these types of Tunicates to proliferate and/ or dominate artificial vs natural reefs. Most significantly we hope to answer questions about the role of tunicates in the relative quality of artificial reefs in terms of providing habitat, food and clean water.
