Taxonomic composition and long-term dynamics of meroplankton abundance in coastal waters of the Taman Peninsula (the Kerch Strait, Black Sea)

Abstract

At the study site between the Taman Bay and the Bugazsky Liman, larvae of benthic invertebrates representing 47 taxa were identified: Polychaeta, 14; Cirripedia, 4; Phoronida, 1; Decapoda, 10; Bivalvia, 13; Gastropoda, 3; and Hydrozoa, 2. The highest meroplankton density (up to 30.6×10³ ind.·m−3) against the backdrop of the lowest taxonomic diversity (17 taxa) was recorded in the semi-closed Taman Bay affected by the Sea of Azov waters. In June and July, meroplankton was chiefly represented by bivalves Cerastoderma sp. in the Taman Bay; by Cerastoderma sp. and Spisula subtruncata in the Tuzla Spit–Panagiya Cape; and by S. subtruncata and Mytilaster lineatus in the Zhelezny Rog Cape–Bugazsky Liman. Despite heavy shipping traffic and significant anthropogenic pollution of the study site, meroplankton density ensured sufficient reproductive potential of the area. In the seaport of Taman, a summer–autumn peak in abundance was registered (13×10³ to 15.4×10³ ind.·m−3) driven by mass release of larvae of bivalves C. gallina and M. lineatus; it is characteristic of the Black Sea waters. In the Kerch Strait, larval density of previously rare decapod Upogebia pusilla increased (0.24×10³ ind.·m−3), and this confirms the necessity of further study of meroplankton biodiversity in the Taman Peninsula coastal waters.