370 Distribution of mollusk shells in the sediments of Florida Bay

Distribution of mollusk shells in the sediments of Florida Bay- BAP #370

The distribution of the shells of 336 taxa of gastropod and pelecypod mollusks in sediments of Florida Bay is described, based on analysis of 321 samples (containing more than 540,000 individual specimens) collected between 1964 and 1983. These data were collected to determine biofacies as defined by shells enclosed in carbonate sediments as a means for solving geologic problems of petroleum exploration. Taxa used are not directly comparable to Linnaean taxa, but rather are operationally-defined for recognition by non-specialists. Dominance of samples by a few taxa made it possible to identify biofacies in the field. The composition and geographic distribution of the resulting 14 biofacies are summarized. All of the project's data are presented on the accompanying CD-ROM.