Chesapeake Science

, Volume 8, Issue 3, pp 187–192 | Cite as

Distribution and niche diversity of haustoriid amphipods in North Carolina

  • Deborah M. Dexter
Article

Abstract

Amphipods of the family Haustoriidae are abundant in sandy beaches along the N. American Atlantic coast from the Gulf of St. Lawrence southward to Florida. The distribution of these amphipods was studied in North Carolina barrier island and lagoonal sandy beaches. Seven species were found to occur sympatrically in an ocean-inlet beach at Morehead City. Their cocxistence was explained by niche diversification. The most obvious differences in ecological niches were related to intertidal zonation patterns, seasons of reproductive activity, size differences, and habitats.

Keywords

Sandy Beach Gravid Female Barrier Island Niche Diversity Habitat Isolation 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Literature Cited

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Copyright information

© Estuarine Research Federation 1967

Authors and Affiliations

  • Deborah M. Dexter
    • 1
  1. 1.Institute of Marine SciencesUniversity of North CarolinaMorehead City

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