This project will be the initial year of a two-year program to map and sample the subtidal habitat
of Sabellaria vulgaris in the lower-to-middle portions of Delaware Bay.  It will fund a M.S.-level
graduate student, Jaime Tomlinson, who will work with the principal investigator and personnel
from Delaware’s National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) to collect and analyze grab
samples of the bay bottom and accompanying RoxAnn and chirp acoustical data.  The grab
sample and acoustical data will be used to determine and map the distribution of Sabellaria
vulgaris in its subtidal environment.  This project is part of a larger effort that is integrating the
use of grab samples, vibracores, RoxAnn acoustic, and chirp sonar data to identify and map the
benthic habitat and sub-benthic stratigraphy of the Delaware Bay nearshore between Broadkill
Beach and Port Mahon, Delaware.  Sabellaria vulgaris is a tube-building annelid polychaete
worm.  In terms of benthic habitat, one of the unique aspects of Sabellaria is that they can be
found in dense aggregations sometimes forming what have been termed worm reefs.  Previous
studies of these reefs have determined that they are more physically stable and ecologically
diverse than surrounding sediments and as such, they, and their associated invertebrates, are
likely to act as an abundant food source and represent a productive nearshore habitat that may be
of great importance to local fisheries.  In this project, biologic and sediment sampling of grabs
will be carried out to determine the preferred sediment-type for subtidal Sabellaria habitat and to
constrain the macroinvertebrate assemblages that are associated with this habitat.  The sites for
the collection of the grabs will be chosen based on interpretation of the bottom-return
characteristics of RoxAnn and chirp acoustical data.  Maps showing the subtidal distribution of
Sabellaria will be produced in a GIS-compatible format.  A web site documenting this project
will be established and maintained.  The principal investigator will participate in the data
collection and analysis and will oversee all activities of the graduate student.  The salary
associated with the work effort of the principal investigator is provided by the University as part
of matching funds for this project.   

Powerpoint Presentation by Jaime Tomlinson at 2004 Annual GSA Meeting

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