A SEM Study of Epilithic and Endolithic Algae and Cyanophytes in Coquina Beach Rock of North Central Florida

Abstract

<jats:p>The eastern coast of north central Florida is home to a habitat unique in the southeastern United States. Some areas of the north to north-central Florida beaches consist of outcroppings of coquina, a beach rock formed by shell fragments and sand held together by a calcareous cement. The major constituents of coquina are shell fragments of the surf clam <jats:italic>Donax variabilis,</jats:italic> while fragments of <jats:italic>Area</jats:italic> sp. and <jats:italic>Dinocardium</jats:italic> sp. are also generally present. These same shell fragments are also found loose comprising most of the beach “sand” in this area. The coquina serves as a substrate for a variety of attatched seaweeds and fouling organisms. Microalgae and cyanophytes of interest to this study can be classified as either epilithic or endolithic. Epilithic microorganisms inhabit the surface, using the rock primarily as a site of <jats:bold>attatchment.</jats:bold> The endolithic microorganisms are those algae and cyanophytes that actively bore into the coquina rock's shell fragments.</jats:p>