MCCLARY, JR., M.; Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ: Spartina alterniflora and Phragmites australis as habitat for the ribbed mussel Geukensia demissa (Dillwyn)

In areas where the cordgrass Spartina alterniflora and the invasive common reed Phragmites australis exist, P. australis is often regarded as the salt marsh grass that is less populated by fauna than that of S. alterniflora. Although it is known that the ribbed mussel Geukensia demissa utilizes S. alterniflora as habitat, it is unknown as to which marsh grass is more densely populated by G. demissa when both grasses coexist in an area. To determine if the preferred habitat for G. demissa is S. alterniflora or P. australis, the mean number of G. demissa in four replicate quadrants near P. australis and S. alterniflora was determined in Saw Mill Creek of the Hackensack Meadowlands of New Jersey in March and June of 2002. There was no significant difference between the mean number of G. demissa near P. australis and S. alterniflora. The results suggest that P. australis provided habitat for G. demissa that was equal to that of S. alterniflora in Saw Mill Creek during March and June of 2002. Future studies will determine if this is true during other months of the year.