COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF MACROFAUNA FOULING OF LITHOCONTOUR OF ODESSA SEA REGION AND SNAKE ISLAND (BLACK SEA)

Abstract

The data on composition and indices of quantitative development of invertebrates’ macrofauna in the fouling of lithocontour of natural origin in the coastal zone of Odessa sea region (OSR) and Snake Island in 2005–2014 are presented.
A total of 71 taxa were registered: 57 – in OSR and 38 – near island. In OSR the average density of macrofauna was 34,263 ind.∙m^-2, biomass – 14,067.5 g∙m^-2; near island – 102,842 ind.∙m^-2 and 16,552.6 g∙m^-2. Among taxonomic groups molluscs were quantitatively dominant in OSR (74.0%) and crustaceans near island (65.3%); while molluscs formed most of biomass at both sites (97.6% and 98.1% respectively). The bulk of fauna biomass (94.4% in OSR, 93.6% near island) was formed by Mytilus galloprovincialis. Among the trophic groups sestonophages dominated on quantity (83.2%) and biomass (98.5%) in OSR; whereas near island phyto-detrithophages dominated on quantity (56.2%) and sestonophages on biomass (98.8%). The average biomass of food component for fish was two times higher near island than in OSR and its basis (69.5–85.4%) was formed by molluscs. Seven invasive species were found in OSR and two near Snake Island. The basis of their quantity and biomass was formed by Amphibalanus improvisus.
The state of lithocontour fouling of macrofauna belonging to Mytilus galloprovincialis biocenosis could be characterized as stable and satisfactory.