AECD-3446 -108- ALGAE by Ralph F,. Palumbo OCCURRENCE, HABITAT AND IDENTIFICATION Algae were collected for the most part in the same area as that chosen for the collection of the fish samples, and usually at about the same time. Thus the bulk of the samples of algae were derived from localities similar to those for the fish, and should provide a good comparison between the two, as in many cases, the fish collected might have been feeding on the algae in that area. The majority of the algae were collected in water the depth of which ranged from six feet to the s shore line of the inner reef, in pounding surf or in fairly rough water. The re- mainder of the collecting was done while wading along the shore line of the inner and outer reefs, in the tide flat between the reefs, and in small pools left along the shore among the rocks. debris floated ashore. Some specimens were picked up on the beach and on Samples were also obtained from the bottom of the lagoons by means of dredging from a small boat; other samples were obtained from buoys anchored in the Bikini Target Area, Various habitats were included in the collecting. In deep water, samples were obtained mainly from coral heads and from the sandy bottom where the light was not strong. In other cases, the samples were located in very shallow water in strong light, either in tide pools or on the reef in the strong surf. In certain cases, the algae were found in crevices or on the under side of the rocks hidden from view, but in the path of constantly surging water. Several different methods were attempted to facilitate the collecting and storage of the specimens for further study. Dueto the depth of water involved, it was difficult to swim with much equipment attached to the person; so it was necessary to put all specimens into a capped jar and to transfer the separate species of algae to smaller bottles upon reaching shore. Because ofthe difficulty of sub- merging repeatedly with such a container, a small bag madeof plastic screen w@5 substituted and the collecting was made simpler and moreeffective. Collections along the shore were made without much trouble, requiring only a bucket and small sample bottles with the proper labels. A knife or scraper was often used to pry J UNIVERSTY SOT ESven 7 - cosy Ty “4: