Lab 1

Title: Fauna Biodiversity.

Aim: To investigate the fauna biodiversity in four (4) beach ecosystems in Tobago

and how the different species are able to adapt to their environment.

Apparatus/Materials: Binoculars, measuring tape 100m

Method/Procedure:

1. A transect of 100m was run along the length of the beach and any fauna
species discovered within the transect were recorded, species diversity
N (N −1)
was recorded using the Simpson’s diversity index formula D= .
∑n(n−1)
2. The distance along the transect and from the littoral zone was recorded
to make the co-ordinate.

Data Collection/Results:

TABLE 1 SHOWING THE AMOUNT AND CO-ORDINATE OF ALL THE MARINE FAUNA
ORGANISMS DISCOVERED IN SITE VISIT #1

Metres from Start of The Metres away from The Littoral

Species Type Number of Species Transect Zone
Small fish 200 0 0
Magnificent Frigate Bird 2 0 0
(Rock Crab) Grapsus 5 0 0
Caribbean Barnacle 194 0 0
(Zebra Periwinkle)
Echinolittorina ziczac 25 0 0
(Black planaxis)
Supplanaxis nucleus 16 0 0
(Cloudy periwinkle)
Littoraria nebulosa 9 0 0
(Southern limpet) Lottia
antillarum 19 0 0
Sand Piper (Scolopacidae) 9 0 0
Yellow Fin Croaker Fish 4 0 0
Sand Fleas 120 3 3
Grooved goose-neck
barnacle 21 5 5
Grooved goose-neck
barnacle 7 15 5
Grooved goose-neck
barnacle 20 25 1
Grooved goose-neck 134 91 2
barnacle
River fish/ sand grunt 11 93.5 4

TABLE 2 SHOWING THE AMOUNT AND CO-ORDINATE OF ALL THE TERRESTRIAL

FAUNA ORGANISMS DISCOVERED IN SITE VISIT #1

Metres from Start of The Metres away from The

Species Type Number of Species Transect Littoral Zone
Southern Lap Wing 1 0 0
Chickens 3 23 9
Millipede 2 25 0
(Lizard) Common
Puerto-Rican ameiva 2 62.5 8
(Lizard) Common
Puerto-Rican ameiva 1 71.25 8
(Lizard) Common
Puerto-Rican ameiva 1 74 8
(Yellow paper wasps)
Polistes versicolor 47 75.5 6
 CHART 1 SHOWING THE PERCENTAGE OF ALL THE MARINE
FAUNA ORGANISMS DISCOVERED IN SITE VISIT #1

CommonYellow paper River

Puerto-Rican wasp fish/ sand grunt
ameivaMillipede
Chickens
6% 1%
0% 0%
Small fish
23%
Grooved goose-neck
barnacle
21%
Magnificent Frigate
Bird
0%
Rock Crab
1%

Sand Fleas Caribbean Barnacle

14% 23%

Southern Lap
Yellow FinSand Wing
Croaker
Piper
Southern
(CloudyLimpetFish(Lottia
periwinkle)
0% antil-
Littoraria
(Black (Zebra Periwinkle) Echinolittorina
planaxis) Supplanaxis
larum) 1%
nebulosa
0% nucleus ziczac
2%1% 2% 3%
 GRA P H 1 S HO W IN G THE N u mb er o f i n d i v i d u a ls O F A L L T HE
MA R IN E FA UN A O R GA N IS MS DIS CO VE RE D IN S IT E VIS IT #1

Number of Species
200

194

182
120

47
25

19
16

11
9

9
5

4
3
2

2
1

To calculate the biodiversity of both tables combined using the formula

N (N −1)
D= we need to first calculate ∑n(n-1) for the combined Terrestrial and
∑ n(n−1)
Aquatic Organism Tables:

TABLE 3 SHOWING THE CALCULATIONS FOR BIODIVERSITY USING THE

SIMPSOMS DIVERSITY INDEX FOR SITE VISIT #1

Species Type N n(n - 1)

Small fish 200 39800
Magnificent Frigate Bird 2 2
Rock Crab 5 20
Caribbean Barnacle 194 37442
(Zebra Periwinkle) Echinolittorina ziczac 25 600
(Black planaxis) Supplanaxis nucleus 16 240
(Cloudy periwinkle) Littoraria nebulosa 9 72
(Southern limpet) Lottia antillarum 19 342
Sand Piper 9 72
Yellow Fin Croaker Fish 4 12
Southern Lap Wing 1 0
Sand Fleas 120 14280
 Grooved goose-neck barnacle 182 32942
Chickens 3 6
Millipede 2 2
Common Puerto-Rican ameiva 4 12
Yellow paper wasp 47 2162
River fish/ sand grunt 11 110
(∑n(n-1) =
N = 853 128,116

∑n(n-1) = (200(199)) + (2(1)) + (5(4)) + (194(193)) + (25(24)) + (16(15)) + (9(8)) +

(19(18)) + (9(8)) + (4(3)) + (1(0)) + (120(119)) + (182(181)) + (3(2)) + (2(1)) + (4(3)) +
(47(46)) + (11(10)

∑n(n-1) = 128,116

Now, we can calculate the combined biodiversity:

D = (sum of N(N-1)) / (∑n(n-1))

D = (853 (852)) / (128,116)

D ≈ 5.67

Therefore, the combined biodiversity of site visit #1 using the formula

D=(N(N-1))/(∑n(n-1)) is approximately 5.67.

TABLE 4 SHOWING THE AMOUNT AND CO-ORDINATE OF ALL THE MARINE FAUNA
ORGANISMS DISCOVERED IN SITE VISIT #2

Meters from Start of The Meters away from The Littoral

Species Type Number of Species Transect Zone
Brown (Pelican)
Pelecanus
occidentalis 1 78 0
Brown (Pelican)
Pelecanus
occidentalis 1 UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION
Night Heron 1 UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION
Magnificent
Frigate 6 UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION
Sand Piper
(Scolopacidae) 9 UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION
Hawk’s bill Turtle 1 UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION
 TABLE 5 SHOWING THE AMOUNT AND CO-ORDINATE OF ALL THE TERRESTRIAL
FAUNA ORGANISMS DISCOVERED IN SITE VISIT #2

Meters from Start of The Meters away from The

Species Type Number of Species Transect Littoral Zone
Southern lap wing 1 52.5 2
Tadpole 44 65 13.5
(Dragon Fly) Carmine
Skimmer Orthemis
discolor 4 66 10
(Dragon Fly) Carmine
Skimmer Orthemis
discolor 1 76 7
Tadpole 1 77 6
Camileon eyed lizard 1 89 4
White spore spot
brown lizard 1 89.5 5
Brown Anole 1 96 4
(Lizard) Common
Puerto-Rican ameiva 5 96 4
(Jumping Spider)
Plexippus paykulli 3 UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION
CHART 2 SHOWING THE PERCENTAGE OF ALL THE MARINE
FAUNA ORGANISMS DISCOVERED IN SITE VISIT #2

(Jumping Spider) Foxbill

Plexippus Southern lap wing
paykulli
Turtle
4% 1% 1%
Sand Piper
11%

Magnificent Fridgate
8%

Night Heron
1%

Common Puerto- Tadpole

Rican ameiva 55%
6%
Brown Anole
White spore
1% spot
Camileon
browneyed lizard
lizard
1%
1% Pelican
Brown
3%
(Dragon Fly) Carmine
Skimmer Orthemis
discolor
6%

GRA P H 2 S HO W IN G T HE N u mb er o f i n d iv i d u a ls O F A L L
T HE MA RIN E FA UN A O RGA N IS MS DIS CO VE R E D IN S IT E
VIS IT #2
44

Number of Species
9
6
5

3
2
1

1
To calculate the biodiversity of both tables combined using the formula
N (N −1)
D= we need to first calculate ∑n(n-1) for the combined Terrestrial and
∑ n(n−1)
Aquatic Organism Tables’:

TABLE 6 SHOWING THE CALCULATIONS FOR BIODIVERSITY USING THE

SIMPSOMS DIVERSITY INDEX FOR SITE VISIT #2

Species Type N n(n-1)

Southern lap wing 1 0
Tadpole 44 1892
(Dragon Fly) Carmine Skimmer Orthemis
discolor 5 20
Brown Pelican 2 2
Camileon eyed lizard 1 0
White spore spot brown lizard 1 0
Brown Anole 1 0
Common Puerto-Rican ameiva 5 20
Night Heron 1 0
Magnificent Fridgate 6 30
Sand Piper 9 72
Foxbill Turtle 1 0
(Jumping Spider) Plexippus paykulli 3 6
∑n(n-1) =
N = 80 2042

∑n(n-1) = (2(1)) + (1(0)) + (6(5)) + (9(8)) + (1(0)) + (1(0)) + (44(43)) + (5(4)) + (1(0)) +
(1(0)) + (1(0)) + (5(4)) + (3(2))

∑n(n-1) = 2,042

Now, we can calculate the combined biodiversity:

D = (sum of N(N-1)) / (∑n(n-1))

D = (79(78)) / (2,042)

D ≈ 3.1

Therefore, the combined biodiversity using the formula D=(N(N-1))/(∑n(n-1)) is

approximately 3.1.
 Metres from Start of The Metres away from The
Species Type Number of Species Transect Littoral Zone
(Black planaxis)
Supplanaxis nucleus 16 9 0
(Cloudy periwinkle)
Littoraria nebulosa 63 9 0
(Zebra Periwinkle)
Echinolittorina ziczac 42 9 0
(Zebra Periwinkle)
Echinolittorina ziczac 859 9.5 0
(Zebra Periwinkle)
Echinolittorina ziczac 6 9.5 0
(Cloudy periwinkle)
Littoraria nebulosa 3 10.5 0
(Zebra Periwinkle)
Echinolittorina ziczac 483 10.5 0
(Cloudy periwinkle)
Littoraria nebulosa 340 10.5 0
(Black planaxis)
Supplanaxis nucleus 16200 10.5 0
(Rock Crab) Grapsus 6 10.5 0
(Zebra Periwinkle)
Echinolittorina ziczac 31 20 0
(Zebra Periwinkle)
Echinolittorina ziczac 3 25 0
Big Pointed Snail
(Periwinkle) 16 46 0
Sand Flea (Talitrus
Saltator) 159 46.5 1
Polistes crinitus (wasp) 800 50 2
Big Pointed Snail
(Periwinkle) 14 50.75 0
(Zebra Periwinkle)
Echinolittorina ziczac 104 52.5 2
Rock Crab 20 (70):(100) 0
Big Pointed Snail
(Periwinkle) 6 UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION
TABLE 7 SHOWING THE AMOUNT AND CO-ORDINATE OF ALL THE MARINE FAUNA
ORGANISMS DISCOVERED IN SITE VISIT #3
 TABLE 8 SHOWING THE AMOUNT AND CO-ORDINATE OF ALL THE TERRESTRIAL
FAUNA ORGANISMS DISCOVERED IN SITE VISIT #3

Metres from Start of The Metres away from The Littoral

Species Type Number of Species Transect Zone
European Honey Bee 135 53 8
Tropical Mocking
Bird 2 60 5
Tropical King Bird 1 UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION
Magnificent Frigate
Bird 2 UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION
Southern Lap Wing 3 UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION

CHART 3 SHOWING THE PERCENTAGE OF ALL THE MA-

RINE FAUNA ORGANISMSTropical
DISCOVERED
Mocking Bird
IN SITE VISIT #3
Magnificent Frigate Bird0%
Big Pointed Snail (Periwinkle) 0% Southern Lap Wing
0% 0%
Polistes crinitus European
(wasp) Honey Bee
SandCrab
Rock
(Zebra Periwinkle) Fleas 1%
4%1%
0%
Echinolittorina ziczac Tropical King Bird
8% 0%

(Cloudy periwinkle) Lit -

toraria nebulosa
2%

(Black planaxis)
Supplanaxis nucleus
84%
 GRA P H 3 S HOW IN G THE N u mb er o f in d iv id u als OF A LL THE
MA RIN E FA UN A ORGAN IS MS DIS CO VE RED IN S ITE VIS IT #3

16216
Number of Species

1528

800
406

159

135
26

36

3
To calculate the biodiversity of both tables combined using the formula
N (N −1)
D= we need to first calculate ∑n(n-1) for the combined Terrestrial and
∑n ¿ ¿
Aquatic Organism Tables’:

TABLE 9 SHOWING THE CALCULATIONS FOR BIODIVERSITY USING THE

SIMPSOMS DIVERSITY INDEX FOR SITE VISIT #3

Species Type N n(n-1)

(Black planaxis) Supplanaxis nucleus 16216 262942440
(Cloudy periwinkle) Littoraria nebulosa 406 164430
(Zebra Periwinkle) Echinolittorina ziczac 1528 2333256
Rock Crab 26 650
Big Pointed Snail (Periwinkle) 36 1260
Sand Fleas 159 25122
Polistes crinitus (wasp) 800 639200
European Honey Bee 135 18090
Tropical Mocking Bird 2 2
Tropical King Bird 1 0
Magnificent Frigate Bird 2 2
Southern Lap Wing 3 6
 ∑n(n-1)=
N= 19314 266124458

∑n(n-1) = (16,216(16,215)) + (406(405)) + (1,528 (1,527)) + (26(25) + (36(35) +

(159(158) + (800(799) + (135(134) + (2(1) + (1(0) + (2(1) + (3(2) = 266,124,458
∑n(n-1) = 266,124,458

Now, we can calculate the combined biodiversity:

D = (sum of N(N-1)) / (∑n(n-1))

D = (19,314(19,313)) / (266,124,458)

D ≈ 1.40

Therefore, the combined biodiversity of site visit #3 using the formula

D=(N(N-1))/(∑n(n-1)) is approximately 1.40.

TABLE 10 SHOWING THE AMOUNT AND CO-ORDINATE OF ALL THE MARINE FAUNA
ORGANISMS DISCOVERED IN SITE VISIT #4

Metres from Start of Metres away from

Species Type Number of Species
The Transect The Littoral Zone
(Rock Crab) Grapsus 1 1 5
(Black planaxis)
167 2 (-10):(-10)
Supplanaxis nucleus
Wide- Mouthed
5 2 (-10):(-10)
purpura (Periwinkle)
Caribbean Barnacle 195 2 (-10):(-10)
(Cloudy periwinkle)
4 2 (-10):(-10)
Littoraria nebulosa
(Rock Crab) Grapsus 1 2 (-10):(-10)
Black planaxis)
5 2 (-10):(-10)
Supplanaxis nucleus
Caribbean Barnacle 4254 2 (-10):(-10)
Black Stripped Fish 1 3 0
Sand Flea (Talitrus
700 15 3.5
Saltator)
Sand Flea (Talitrus
1500 20 3.5
Saltator)
Sand Flea (Talitrus
300 25 3.75
Saltator)
(Ghost Crab)
1 28 3.5
Ocypodinae
Sand Flea (Talitrus
35 32 3.25
Saltator)
Sand Flea (Talitrus
20 34 3.25
Saltator)
(Ghost Crab)
5 35 6
Ocypodinae
(Ghost Crab)
2 43 2.5
Ocypodinae
Sand Flea (Talitrus
40 45.5 3.75
Saltator)
(Ghost Crab)
2 46 5
Ocypodinae
(Ghost Crab)
4 50 5
Ocypodinae
Sand Flea (Talitrus
20 51 3.75
Saltator)
(Ghost Crab)
2 51 2.5
Ocypodinae
(Ghost Crab)
8 54 2.5
Ocypodinae
Sand Flea (Talitrus
20 55 3
Saltator)
(Ghost Crab)
3 56 2.5
Ocypodinae
(Ghost Crab)
5 58 2.5
Ocypodinae
(Ghost Crab)
2 59.5 2.4
Ocypodinae
(Ghost Crab)
2 61 2.4
Ocypodinae
(Ghost Crab)
5 62.5 2.4
Ocypodinae
Sand Flea (Talitrus
40 64 3
Saltator)
(Ghost Crab)
2 64 3
Ocypodinae
(Ghost Crab)
8 68.5 3
Ocypodinae
Hirundichthys affins 3 69 0
(Flying Fish)
(Ghost Crab)
1 71 2.75
Ocypodinae
(Ghost Crab)
4 74.75 2.5
Ocypodinae
(Ghost Crab)
12 78 2
Ocypodinae
(Ghost Crab)
2 82 2.5
Ocypodinae
(Ghost Crab)
8 89.5 2.5
Ocypodinae
(Ghost Crab)
2 93.5 2
Ocypodinae
(Ghost Crab)
1 100 2
Ocypodinae
(Cloudy periwinkle)
26 100 0
Littoraria nebulosa
Caribbean Barnacle 22 100 0
Brown Sand Piper
1 UNDIFINED LOCATION (-10):(-10)
(Scolopacidae)

TABLE 11 SHOWING THE AMOUNT AND CO-ORDINATE OF ALL THE TERRESTRIAL

FAUNA ORGANISMS DISCOVERED IN SITE VISIT #4

Metres from Start of Metres away from The

Species Type Number of Species
The Transect Littoral Zone
Carpenter Ant 60 10 3
(Yellow paper wasps)
2 15 3
Polistes versicolor
Carpenter Ant 55 20 3.75
Atta cephaltotes (leaf
5 24 3.75
cutter ants)
(Lizard) Common Puerto-
1 32 8
Rican ameiva
Carpenter Ant 27 32 4.5
(Dragon Fly) Carmine
7 39 8
Skimmer Orthemis discolor
Cloudless sulphur butterfly 3 39 8
(Yellow paper wasps) 3 39 8
Polistes versicolor
(Jumping Spider) Plexippus
1 44 6
paykulli
Iguana 1 64 6.5
(Lizard) Common Puerto-
1 64 6.5
Rican ameiva
(Lizard) Common Puerto-
1 69 8
Rican ameiva
Hirundichthys affins (Flying
3 69 0
Fish)
Atta cephaltotes (leaf
5 76 3
cutter ants)
Palm Tanager 3 88 9.5
Butterfly 1 89 7
Black Bee 4 97 6.5
Magnificent Frigate 15 UNDIFINED LOCATION 0

Chart #4 SHOWING THE Number of individuals OF ALL THE

MARINE FAUNA ORGANISMS DISCOVERED IN SITE VISIT #4

(Dragon Fly) Carmine Skimmer

Wide- Mouthed purpura (Peri-
(Jumping
(leaf
(Flying
Common
Cloudless
cutter
(Black Yellow
Fish)
Orthemis
Magnificent
Brown
Spider)
Palm
ants)
Puerto-Rican
Black
Rock
Butterfly
Hirundichthys
sulphur
Iguana
planaxis)paper
Sand
Tanager
Atta
Plexippus
Crab
Bee
discolor
Friget
Piper
wasp
cephaltotes
butterfly
ameiva
Supplanaxis paykulli
affins
nucleus
winkle)
0%
0%
0%
0%1% 0%
Sand Flea (Talitrus Saltator)
22%

Caribbean Barnacle
38%
(Ghost Crab) Ocypodinae
1%
BlackCarpenter Ant
Stripped Fish
0% 1%

(Cloudy periwinkle) Lit -

Caribbean Barnacle toraria nebulosa
36% 0%
 GRA P H 4 S H O W IN G T H E N u m b er o f i n d i v i d u a l s O F A L L T HE
M A R IN E FA UN A O R GA N IS M S DIS CO VE R E D IN S IT E VIS IT # 4

Number of Species

1 1 88 9
4471

4254

2675
172

142
80
30

15
10
2

3
7
3
1
1
3
3
1
4

1
To calculate the biodiversity of both tables combined using the formula
N (N −1)
D= we need to first calculate ∑n(n-1) for the combined Terrestrial and
∑ n(n−1)
Aquatic Organism Tables’:

TABLE 12 SHOWING THE CALCULATIONS FOR BIODIVERSITY USING THE

SIMPSOMS DIVERSITY INDEX FOR SITE VISIT #2

Species Type N n(n-1)

Rock Crab 2 2
(Black planaxis) Supplanaxis nucleus 172 29412
Wide- Mouthed purpura (Periwinkle) 5 20
Caribbean Barnacle 4,471 19985370
(Cloudy periwinkle) Littoraria nebulosa 30 870
Caribbean Barnacle 4254 18092262
Black Stripped Fish 1 0
Carpenter Ant 142 20022
(Ghost Crab) Ocypodinae 80 6320
Sand Flea (Talitrus Saltator) 2,675 7152950
Yellow paper wasp 5 20
(leaf cutter ants) Atta cephaltotes 10 90
Common Puerto-Rican ameiva 3 6
(Dragon Fly) Carmine Skimmer Orthemis
discolor 7 42
Cloudless sulphur butterfly 3 6
(Jumping Spider) Plexippus paykulli 1 0
Iguana 1 0
 (Flying Fish) Hirundichthys affins 3 6
Palm Tanager 3 6
Butterfly 1 0
Black Bee 4 12
Magnificent Friget 15 210
Brown Sand Piper 1 0
∑n(n-1) =
N= 11,889 45,287,626

∑n(n-1) = (2(1)) + (172(171)) + (5(4)) + (4,471(4,470)) + (30(29)) + (4254(4253)) +

(1(0)) + (142(141)) + (80(79)) + (2,675(2,674)) + (5(4)) + (10(9)) + (3(2)) + (7(6)) + (3(2))
+ (1(0)) + (1(0)) + (3(2)) + (3(2)) + (1(0)) + (4(3)) + 15(14)) + (1(0)) = 45, 287,626

∑n(n-1) = 45, 287,626

Now, we can calculate the combined biodiversity:

D = (sum of N(N-1)) / (∑n(n-1))

D = (11,889 (11,888)) / (45, 287,626)

D ≈ 3.1
Therefore, the combined biodiversity of site visit #3 using the formula
D=(N(N-1))/(∑n(n-1)) is approximately 3.1.
Discussion:
Biodiversity essentially reflects ecological quality of the habitats (Vladica and
Snezana, 1999). Beaches and dunes of the open coast form one of the globe’s
longest ecological interfaces, linking the oceans with the land (TA Schlacher, 2014).
Marine ecosystem particularly the Intertidal zone is one of the most dynamic zone
that is the interface between sea and terrestrial environment (S.N. Datta et al, 2010.
This is a dynamic area intensively used, where impacts of unsustainable
development activities can have significant deleterious consequences (A Balasuriya,
2018). The most important physical factor that influences the life and activities of
organisms of the intertidal zone is the existence of waves and duration of exposure
to sunlight (S.N. Datta et al, 2010). Sandy beaches, costal dunes and surf zones
have outstanding ecological, social, economic and cultural values, and they provide
a diversity of eco-system services (TA Schlacher, 2014). By 2022, three quarters of
the global populations grow and continue to concentrate in the narrow coast line
strip (UNCED, 1992). The Atlantic coast of Tobago is currently being threatened by
the level of new industrialisation near coasts taking place, leading to deterioration
of water quality and reduction of faunal organisms. In this experiment the faunal
biodiversity was calculated using the Simpson’s Diversity Index for four (4) beach
ecosystems in Tobago, observations were also made on the type of species found on
each beach. Diversity indices are mathematical functions that combine richness
and evenness in a single measure, although usually not explicitly (RK Colwell,
2009). Although there are many others, the most commonly used diversity indices
in ecology are Shannon diversity, Simpson diversity, and Fisher’s.

Site visit #1
This site had the lowest biodiversity of all the ecosystems with value D = 5.6. The
most abundant species observed were small fish at (200) individual, Caribbean
barnacles (194), Sand Fleas (Talitrus Saltator) (120), and grooved goose-neck
barnacles (182). The distribution of species varied along the transect. Some species
were observed close to the start of the transect (e.g., small fish, magnificent frigate
bird), while others were observed further away (e.g., river fish/sand grunt). Some
species were also observed closer to the littoral zone (e.g., sand flies), while others
were observed further away (e.g., millipedes). Some species showed preferences for
specific habitats within the transect. For example, sand flies were observed closer
to the littoral zone, while millipedes were observed further away. Grooved goose-
neck barnacles were observed at different distances from the start of the transect,
but mostly at a distance of 5 meters away from the littoral zone. Most of the
barnacles were found on hard surfaces like metal rock and even pieces of rotten
wood. Gastropods as well as barnacles were observed at the start of the transect
attached to the concrete peer which acts as a substrate for the organisms to thrive.
The spotting of (Yellow paper wasps) Polistes versicolor indicates that their might
be a nest/hive nearby, and potentially more. Some species were observed only once
(e.g., southern lapwing, Sand Piper (Scolopacidae)), while others were more
abundant (e.g., small fish, Caribbean barnacles). The presence of chickens along
the transect reveals that there is human habitation nearby, which is accurate since
there is a school, housing and other institutions and businesses surrounding the
area.

Site visit #2
Biodiversity: Using the Simpson’s Diversity Index the diversity of the flora of this
ecosystem was calculated at 3.1. which indicates a relatively low biodiversity.
Tadpoles were the most abundant species observed along the transect found at
65m – 77m where the river intersects and runs into the sea, followed by dragonflies
(Carmine Skimmer Orthemis discolor) and sandpipers. The distribution of species
varied along the transect. Some species were observed closer to the start of the
transect (e.g., southern lapwing), while others were observed further away (e.g.,
Brown (Pelican) Pelecanus occidentalis, Camileon-eyed lizard, White-spotted brown
lizard, Brown Anole, Common Puerto-Rican ameiva). Some species showed
preferences for specific habitats within the transect. For example, Tadpoles were
observed closer to the littoral zone to enjoy more brackish waters, while lizards
move further away. Some species were observed only once (e.g., Southern lapwing,
Chameleon-eyed lizard, White-spotted brown lizard, Brown Anole), while others
were more abundant (e.g., tadpoles, dragonflies, and ameivas). The presence of a
Brown (Pelican) Pelecanus occidentalis along the transect suggests that there may
be human habitation nearby, as Brown (Pelican) are known to inhabit coastal areas
near human populations (USFWS, 2009).

Site visit #3
Using the Simpson’s Diversity Index, the Diversity was calculated at 1.4 which was
relatively high. The most abundant species observed were black snails (16,200),
followed by Polistes crinitus wasps (800), and grey stripped snails (340). Most of the
observed species were found within the 10.5 meters range from the start of the
transect, with the exception of some species found further away, such as the
Tropical King Bird and the Magnificent Frigate Bird, which were not located within
the specific distance markers. The majority of observed species were periwinkles
and other snails, were found at the start of the transect where there were lots of
rocky coast reaching into the littoral zone which makes the perfect environment for
them. A theme of stratification was observed on the rocks where the (Black
planaxis) Supplanaxis nucleus were at the bottom of the rocks partially in the
water which may indicate a high saline tolerance, on the opposite end was the
(Cloudy periwinkle) Littoraria nebulosa which was found at the top of the rocks
where the water occasionally reaches, this can show a low salt tolerance. The
(Zebra Periwinkle) Echinolittorina ziczac was found at a mid- range between both
species. This patterned was uniformed and seen at all sites. Additionally, the
presence of dead sea weed, can be the reason for the abundance sand fleas since
most of the sand fleas were found under the sargassum seaweed. Some species,
such as the Big Pointed Snail, were observed in low abundance, with only and 6
individuals, respectively. No direct human impact was observed in the transect.
However, the presence of the European Honey Bee suggests a potential impact of
human activities such as beekeeping or nearby agriculture.

Site visit #4
This beach had a biodiversity calculated at 3.1. Caribbean Barnacles most
abundant species with 4,471 individuals, following this is Sand Fleas (Talitrus
Saltator) numbered at 2,070 and then black snails (Periwinkles) 142. The reason
for the barnacles being the most abundant could be because this beach contained
rocky substrate at the starting of the transect which, provided the ideal habitat for
these organisms to grow. The (Ghost Crab) Ocypodinaes were found at various
locations along the transect, ranging from 1 meter to 100 meters from the start of
the transect. The habitat preferences of (Ghost Crabs) include sandy beaches,
where they burrow in the sand to avoid predators and the hot sun. Sand crabs are
most commonly found in the intertidal zone, where the waves constantly bring in
new sand and water (Hartnoll, R. G, 1975). The majority of the gastropods and
barnacle were found at the start of the transect where there was a rockier coast line
which is a more suitable substrate for these types of organisms to feed and thrive.
The habitat preferences of the species varied as well, with some species (e.g. sand
fleas, (Ghost Crab) Ocypodinaes) primarily found in the sandy beach habitat, while
others (e.g. ants, butterflies, tanager) may inhabit a wider range of habitats.

Species such as Sand Fleas (Talitrus Saltator) were common in most sites, which
tells that most sites contained certain amounts of dead seaweed on the coast in
which they make their habitat. Intertidal invertebrate communities of open coast
sandy beaches contain representatives of mobile animals from numerous phyla and
classes. The major Marco invertebrate taxa on open-coast beaches are molluscs
(Clams and snails), arthropods (Crustaceans, spiders and insects), and annelids
(polychaetes and oligochaetes) (McLachlan & Brown, 2006). Gastropods were
observed on all beaches in varying numbers, except for site visit #2 where there
weren’t any observed. Examples of some gastropods that were found were (Zebra
Periwinkle) Echinolittorina ziczacs, (Southern limpet) Lottia antillarum, Caribbean
barnacles and Grooved goose-neck barnacles. The abundance of these gastropods
may indicate that these organisms may have a level of importance in the
ecosystem.

Conclusion: Site #3 has the highest fauna biodiversity at 1.4 among all the sites
which means it’s a healthy and stable ecosystem and should be preserved. Site #4
has a relatively similar biodiversity to Site #2 but for Site #1 situ conservation is
recommended to preserve fauna biodiversity. It is also recommended that in future
research that species distribution should be taken into consideration.

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