Date of Award
Spring 4-3-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biological Science
First Advisor
Dr. Kristine White
Second Advisor
Dr. David Weese
Third Advisor
Dr. Sebastien Portalier
Abstract
The subtidal zone is home to a diverse array of organisms and provides several important ecosystem functions. Subtidal crustaceans are an important food source for other organisms, often acting as bioindicators or keystone species. Given the harsh environment of the subtidal zone, the diversity of crustaceans can be affected by abiotic factors such as season, wave action, and sediment size. Subtidal crustacean diversity and distribution is understudied on Sapelo Island, Georgia. This study compared crustacean diversity at a protected beach and an exposed beach on Sapelo Island in order to analyze the effects of wave action and season on subtidal crustacean biodiversity. Seasonal samples were collected using a modified beam trawl and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. It was hypothesized that the protected beach would exhibit greater diversity than the exposed beach and warmer seasons would have greater diversity than colder seasons. Results indicate no difference in overall diversity. However, the exposed beach was more diverse when taking the abundance of rare genera into account. Seasonal differences were also found with the exposed being more diverse in winter and spring, and the protected beach being more diverse in the summer. The unexpected results are likely due to beach morphology and location of sampling on the protected beach. These findings provide valuable information on subtidal crustacean diversity on Sapelo Island and can aid in further studies investigating the distribution of these organisms in the region.
Recommended Citation
Mirabella*, Elise C., "Distribution of Subtidal Crustaceans at Sapelo Island, Georgia" (2026). Biology Theses. 49.
https://kb.gcsu.edu/biology/49