Specific features of distribution and size indices of four poorly studied species of sculpins (Cottidae) in the Okhotsk Sea Waters off Kamchatka

摘要

Evidence on occurrence in catches and characteristic of the spatial-bathymetric distribution and size indices of four species of Cottidaefrog sculpin Myoxocephalus stelleri, brightbelly sculpin Microcottus sellaris, antlered sculpin Enophrys diceraus, and furseal sculpin Stelgistrum stejnegeriin summer-autumn months in the Okhotsk Sea waters off Kamchatka (site from 51p15o to 57p20o N, depths of 11100 m) are provided. The first three species occur mainly in the northern part of the shelf above 54p N at depths smaller than 3040 m within a comparatively well warmed surface water mass of seasonal modification at near-bottom temperature values above 6pC at various solid grounds. Maximum catches of S. stejnegeri were recorded only at a site of the western Kamchatka shelf from 54p00o to 54p20o N on pebbly-stony ground in a narrow bathy-metric range of 4160 m on the boundary between the well warmed surface water mass of autumn modification and the cold intermediate water mass at a water temperature below 2pC. Evidence on the size-weight indices of the studied species of Cottidae in trawl catches in the Okhotsk Sea waters off Kamchatka in the study period is provided.