Zane Grey Creek
This location had the most turbidity (~10 ft) compared to the other sites we visited. The high turbidity could have been associated with the fine sediments that composed the habitat. This turbidity also could have been attributed to the abundance of microbial organisms throughout the water column. With the abundance of microbial organisms, this allowed filter and suspension feeders such as Cnidarians and Porifera.
Red Mangroves were the prominent vegetation around this area. The mangroves are an important feature for this area because they protect the shorelines from erosion, they provide a sanctuary for smaller fish, and they help to filter out the water.
The depth of the water was shallow near the mangroves and dramatically dropped off approximately five to ten feet away from the mangroves. Since the turbidity in this area was high, seeing the bottom of the creek at the drop off was difficult.
Sea Plants & Algae:
Rhizophora mangle (Red Mangroves)
Acetabularia
Halimeda
Invertebrates:
Heteractis aurora (Beaded anemones)
Orange and Purple Sponge
Tunicates
Crassostrea gasar (Mangrove oysters)
Clams
Limulidae (Horseshoe crab)
Uca (Fiddler crab)
Macrocheira kaempferi (Spider crab)
Callinectes sapidus (Blue crab)
Paguroidea (Hermit crab- flat clawed, striped)
Vertebrates:
Ginglymostoma cirratum (Nurse shark)
Rainbow parrotfish
Blue-stripped grunt
Slippery dicks
Killifish
Barracuda
Schoolmaster
Silver jenny
Mermaid’s parasol
Ban tailed puffer fish
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