Distribution and structure of macrobenthic fauna in the eastern Laptev Sea in relation to environmental factors

Here, we describe the distribution and composition of macrobenthic communities of the eastern shelf and identify key environmental control factors. Samples were collected from dredge catches carried out at 11 stations at depths between 17 and 44 m in August/September 1993 during the TRANSDRIFT I cruise of the Russian R/V “Ivan Kireev.” A total of 265 species were identified from the samples, mostly crustaceans (94).

Species numbers per station ranged from 30 to 104. Macrobenthic community distribution clearly showed a depth zonation, consisting of a “Shallow” zone (<20 m), dominated by the crustaceans -Mysis oculata - (Mysidacea) and -Saduria entomon- (Isopoda) as well as molluscs, an “Intermediate” zone (20-30 m), characterised by a clear dominance of the bivalve -Portlandia arctica-, and a “Deep” zone (>30 m) with bivalves -P. arctica- and -Nuculoma bellotii- as well as brittle stars -Ophiocten sericeum- and -Ophiura sarsi- being most abundant.