2018-01-192018-01-191965https://repository.marine-research.ru/handle/299011/101The taxonomic composition and quantitative distribution of some meiobenthic organisms (Coelenterata, Nematoda, Kinorhyncha, Polychaeta, Mollusca, Ostracoda, Harpacticoida, Amphipoda, Tanaidacea, Isopoda, Cumacea, Ophiuridae, Ascidea) is discussed; the meiobenthos inhabit different types of seabed grounds at the depths from 8 to 65 m near the western shore of the Crimean peninsula (capes Tarkhankut and Lucull). Out of the studied biotopes of sand, muddy sand, coquina and silt it was sandy biotope where species diversity was highest, with the largest number of species of Nematoda and Harpacticoida. The most diverse fauna of Ostracoda was found on the sea floor of shell rock. Index of similarity has been the highest (32) for coquina and sandy biotopes. Based on the observations, Nematoda had the largest number of identical species in silty and shell rock biotopes; Harpacticoida – in shell rock and sandy biotopes; Ostracoda – in muddy sand and silty biotopes. Average numbers of the meiobenthos was maximal in mud biotope and minimal on coquina. In all the biotopes meiobenthic organisms have the average numbers greater than that of macrobenthos whereas the biomass produced by the former is by far below that by the latter. The portion of meiobenthos in some of the biocenoses can amount to 40% of macrobenthos.ru