DISTRIBUTION OF THE TEREBELLID POLYCHAETE Amphitrite ornata IN THREE ESTUARINE SYSTEMS OF SOUTH CAROLINA
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Shick, Taylor Alan
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Abstract
Amphitrite ornata is a species of terebellid polychaete that inhabits estuarine environments along the Atlantic coast of the USA from Maine through the Gulf of Mexico. However, little is known about this species in South Carolina estuaries, where in particular, the impacts of environmental factors on population density of this polychaete, and the distribution along the SC coast have not been studied. The purpose of this study was to determine temporal variations in population density of this polychaete as well as to determine the abiotic factors that may impact their spatial distribution in SC estuarine areas. Sampling was completed monthly from May 2014 through April 2015 in three South Carolina estuarine systems, Charleston Harbor, ACE Basin, and Cape Romain. The density and distribution of individuals of A. ornata was found to be positively affected by higher salinity and volume of shell in the samples. Only one individual was found in the ACE Basin and densities of individuals of A. ornata were not significantly different in Charleston Harbor and Cape Romain. These results indicated that this annelid species does not appear to be impacted by urban development that occurs in the Charleston Harbor and that it is found in areas of higher salinities. The presence of oyster shell was found to be necessary for these annelids, with an optimum range of 4 to 9 L of shell per 10 L sample. However, width and mass of individuals of A. ornata were significantly larger in the Charleston Harbor than in Cape Romain, which indicated possible access to more nutrients in Charleston Harbor, perhaps due to the influence of freshwater on increased amount of organic matter in this estuarine system. At least 2 generations of individuals were found and recruitment occurred from April to November. A comparison of populations of A. ornata between oyster bags used to restore oysters reefs in the Charleston Harbor and creeks in natural estuarine systems showed that oyster bags supported significantly larger densities and larger individuals of A. ornata than the tidal creeks of the Charleston Harbor and Cape Romain.