First, as a handy reference guide, these species characterizations will assist biologists that routinely evaluate environmental contaminant issues. Information in our species characterizations would help address such questions. We believe this information will be of interest to natural resource managers and scientists in the field of ecotoxicology. Abundance and Range Population estimates and range along the Atlantic Coast of North America. Site Fidelity Qualitative description of the likelihood that an individual annually returns to same location, based upon availability from the literature.
Qualitative information is given when available.
Feeding Habits Description of diet and foraging behavior. This section provides a synopsis of species-specific data describing biological responses to contaminant exposure. This information is principally limited to free-ranging individuals. An alphabetical list of literature cited in the Species Characterization. Lois Loges, Wanda Manning, and Thomas Shallenberger graciously assisted with the preparation of these documents.