Seasonal and annual variations in abundance and species composition of twonearshore fish communities in Maine

Twenty-seven species of fishes were caught by fyke net and beach seine duri ng a 5-yr study of an intertidal salt pond and adjacent sandy beach at Kenn ebec Point on the central coast of Maine. The salt pond catches consisted p redominantly of three species, Microgadus tomcod, Fundulus heteroclitus, an d. one of three pelagic species (Clupea harengus, Menidia menidia, Alosa ae stivalis) in all 5 yr. The beach site was dominated by four pelagic species (C. harengus, M. menidia, A. aestivalis, Alosa pseudoharengus). Difference s in species composition existed between the fyke and seine catches so neit her alone provided a complete description of the fish community. Biweekly s ampling showed a clear seasonal cycle in abundance and species composition. At most, one species (M. menidia) occurred in the salt pond or at the beac h site in winter, the majority of species were only present from spring thr ough autumn. The pattern of species composition was similar between years, even though abundance differed. Annual cycles in species richness and abund ance paralleled those of temperature. The high diversity and abundance of y oung-of-year and juvenile fishes in the study area suggest these habitats a re important nursery grounds for numerous marine species.