Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (North Atlantic) - Sand Lance

摘要

Species profiles are literature summaries on taxonomy, morphology, range, life history, and environmental requirements of coastal finfishes and shellfishes. They are designed to assist in environmental impact assessment. The systematic classification of the sand lances Ammodytes americanus and Ammodytes dubius is confusing because of overlapping meristic values. In the report, all sand lances in the North Atlantic area off the coast of the United States are treated as a combined group (Ammodytes spp.). Sand lances occur in estuarine, open coast, and offshore habitats. They are important prey to many commercially and recreationally valuable fish and marine mammals. Exploitation of sand lances off the Northeast coast of the United States is presently only for baitfish.