Meeting Abstract
Lucinids are a diverse group of bivalves and are particularly prevalent members of infaunal seagrass communities, contributing to local biogeochemical cycling by regulating sediment sulfide concentrations. On San Salvador Island in the Bahamas, lucinids have also been reported to inhabit anchialine lakes. In this study, we report the diversity of lucinids from various marine habitats surrounding San Salvador, as well as from two inland lakes, sampled from 2015-2016. Live and dead lucinids (qualified by retaining articulation between both valves) recovered from open marine localities include Clathrolucina costata, Codakia orbicularis, Ctena orbiculata, Divalinga quadrisulcata, and Lucina pensylvanica. Lucinids from inland lakes are only represented by Ctena orbiculata, conforming to the reduced diversity of other groups endemic to these lakes. Ctena orbiculata and Clathrolucina costata were also never found in association with each other, occupying different habitats entirely. Between localities resampled after one year, we found an apparent decrease in abundance for the death assemblage and a reduced diversity among live lucinids at Graham’s Harbor on the island’s north coast. The occurrence of Hurricane Joaquin between field seasons is one possible explanation that may have increased shell disarticulation or transport. These preliminary observations require further surveys in order to monitor lucinid diversity over time. Furthermore, as many inland lakes on San Salvador have yet to be investigated for lucinids, extending efforts to endemic populations provides a more complete understanding of San Salvador’s marine ecology.
