Ichthyofauna of the Russian exclusive economic zone of the Bering Sea: 1. Taxonomic diversity

Abstract

The species list of ichthyofauna of the Russian exclusive economic zone of the Bering Sea has been developed using the original data obtained in 1995–2012 and the data published since the very beginning of the studies in this region. The species list includes 344 species belonging to 188 genera, 65 families, and 23 orders. The diversity of the ichthyofauna of the western Bering Sea, calculated under the ratio of species, genera, and families, is significantly higher than that observed for the Arctic seas, the seas of the European part of Russia (except the Caspian Sea), and the Sea of Japan. It is similar to the diversity of the ichthyofauna of coastal waters of the northern Kuril Islands and the northern Sea of Okhotsk. The maximal diversity has been found for scorpion fishes and sculpins (Scorpaeniformes), perch-like fishes (Perciformes), salmons (Salmoniformes), flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes), and cods and hakes (Gadiformes). These orders comprise 33 families (50.8% of total number of families), 139 genera (73.9% of total number of genera), and 279 species (81.1% of total number of species) in total. The maximal diversity belongs to the scorpion fishes and sculpins and the perch-like fishes; they dominate absolutely by the number of the lower-order taxa (families, genera, and species). Such families as sculpins (Cottidae), eelpouts (Zoarcidae), snailfishes (Liparidae), righteye flounders (Pleuronectidae), pricklebacks (Stichaeidae), and poachers (Agonidae) are presented by 175 species, or comprise 50.9% of the total diversity of ichthyofauna.