Checklist of marine invertebrates of the Tomales Bay region, Marin County, California

Johnson, Ralph; Juskevice, John

The following check list has been compiled from many sources. After each name, the source is indicated by a number corresponding to the sources listed at the end of the check list. The description of the sources provides some basis for judging the validity of the record. Some of the published sources provide locality data. For the purposes of this check list, the Tomales Bay region is taken as the shores and shallow waters from Mussel Point, Bodega Head; all of Tomales Bay; to the western shores of Tomales Point (from 38° 19’ 27” N. Lat. and 123° 04’ 40” W. Long. to 38° 13’ 25” IS. Lat. and 122° 58’ 51” W. Long.) A few species listed in the Pacific Marine Station Check List (source l) were probably identified from specimens collected outside of these limits. It is likely, however, that these species also occur in the Tomales Bay region as defined here. The check list undoubtably contains errors and omits many common species. The reliability of the identifications varies greatly from group to group. It is high among the polychaetes, molluscs, and some arthropod groups where specialists have contributed most of the citations. Any check list must be used with caution. This list has been prepared as an aid for further studies and should, itself, be regarded as a report of work in progress. Any corrections and contributions to the list will be gratefully received by the Director, Pacific Marine Station, Dillon Beach, California, 94929. It is hoped that re vised editions can be issued in the future. The check list was compiled during the course of research supported by a grant from the Atomic Energy Corrnnission (AEC Report C00-10l9-lO).