Salinity effects

Dermo are known to prefer waters of >15 ppt. Dermo cell division is known to increase at >10 ppt. Cell growth significantly drops with salinities <10 ppt.

Distribution is directly influenced by salinity. Although they can tolerate salinities as low as 12.4 psu, they much prefer higher salinities of about 30 psu. A high abundance of L. dirum will indicate that the area is highly saline.

Oyster growth is stunted at salinities <7.5 ppt; however, oysters can survive between 5-40 ppt. Salinities >25 ppt are not ideal and can yield greater mortalities for the community, as Perkinsus marinus thri

Bivalves Rangia cuneata, Rangia flexuosa and Macoma mitchelli are common indicators of low salinities (<10 ppt).

Gastropods Littoridina sphinctosoma and Probythinella protera are known to be indicative of river-influenced environments (<10 ppt).