Spatial structure of the macroand meiobenthic communities in homogenous conditions (on the example of the Pechora Sea)

Spatial structure of the macroand meiobenthic communities of the south-eastern Barents Sea (also known as Pechora Sea) was investigated in 2003 during the expedition of the RV «Professor Shtokman». One grid of the stations was used for both benthic size classes. Community dominated by Serripes groenlandicus occupied the most part of the investigated polygon, Astarte borealis dominated the easternmost station. Described communities are in correspondence with historic data. In the meiobenthic communities, nematodes played a leading role, accounting for 86–94% of the total number. Nematode Richtersia inaequalis was dominant on most stations, at the northernmost station the nematodes Cervonema papillatum and Microlaimus affinis dominated. The temperature and the salinity of the near-bottom water layer were homogenous, macroand meiobenthic communities were not influenced by grain size. In contrast to our expectations, communities of the macroand meiobenthos were distributed independently of each other on the mesoscale area (30×11 km).