Molluscan bio-indicators of the tidal Myakka River and inshore waters of Venice Florida. Final report.

Abstract

This report describes a study with an objective to describe the present distribution of major macro-mollusk species and communities in the lower, tidal reach of the Myakka River, a tributary of Charlotte Harbor, and of Dona and Roberts Bays, near Venice, Florida, including their main tributaries; identify taxa of potential importance to the ecological structure and functioning of these waters; compare and contrast mollusk data collected by similar methods from other tidal rivers of southwest Florida; and conduct a preliminary survey of Dona and Roberts Bays, and their main tributaries to determine whether oyster reefs once occurred beyond their modern distribution. Results of the project are described.