Abstract
The eelpout genus Lycodes is the most species-rich fish genus of the Arctic seas. The species composition and the actual ranges of some Arctic eelpouts are still questionable due to insufficient research efforts and often incorrect species identifications. A new material on 12 species of the eelpout genus Lycodes was collected during 2019 research cruise in four seas of the Siberian Arctic (the Chukchi, East Siberian, Laptev, and Kara seas). The morphological features, variability and distribution of the studied species are discussed. Five species were discovered in new basins: L. attenuatus in the East Siberian Sea, L. pallidus in the Chukchi Sea, L. raridens in the Laptev Sea, L. reticulatus in the East Siberian Sea, and L. rossi in the Chukchi and East Siberian seas. These findings significantly update our knowledge on the modern range of these species, and, in part, reflect the shift of the ranges of the Pacific species deep into the Arctic. Our research showed that Lycodes pallidus and L. polaris being the most abundant and widespread were recorded in three Siberian Arctic seas, while the widest range of morphological variability is inherent to former species. The data obtained contribute to monitoring of the biodiversity of the Arctic ecosystems that are transforming rapidly in the face of climate change and increasing anthropogenic impact.
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