Gulf Of Odessa Research Articles

Evaluation of the ecological condition of marine ecosystems (exemplified by the gulf of Odessa)

Evaluation of the ecological condition of marine ecosystems (exemplified by the gulf of Odessa)

The first data on parasite community of the black scorpionfish, Scorpaena porcus (Actinopterygii: Scorpaenidae), from the North‐Western Black Sea

The black scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus) is a marine demersal fish species, whose density increased in the North-Western Black Sea, started to be common in recent years. We present the first data on the parasite community of this fish from two localities in Ukraine: the Gulf of Odessa and the Snake Island. The total of 7 parasite species were registered including two cestode, one acanthocephalan, and four nematode species. We found that the fish populations in the Gulf of Odessa and the Snake Island are different, having no similarities in parasitisation. Three species were found in the Gulf of Odessa, while four—near the Snake Island. The relation between the fish age and the parasite acquisition is studied for the first time for the black scorpionfish. The fish was presented by 2–6 years old individuals, and differed between the localities. Most of the parasites are represented by adults because the fish has predatory behavior, feeding mainly with small-sized fish and large crustaceans. The carnivorous life-style results in the presence of manly adult parasites located in gut and acquired during growth.

TAXONOMIC AND ECO-FAUNISTIC FEATURES OF THE NOWADAYS FISH FAUNA OF THE GULF OF ODESA, THE DNIESTER MOUTH FOREFRONT NEAR-SHORES AND COASTAL WATERS OF THE SNAKE (ZMIINYI) ISLAND

Introduction (relevance). The sea ecosystem investigations and investigations of its individual components, in particular, coastal ichthyocenoses, remain relevant. It’s very important for the development and implementation of measures for the conservation and rational use of fish resources of the entire Black Sea.The aim of this work is ichthyofauna investigations of the coastal areas in the northwestern part of the Black Sea. Main results. The inventory of the fish fauna species composition in the Gulf of Odessa, the Dniester mouth forefront near-shores and Snake Island coastal waters (North-Western Black Sea) is provided. In the results of the long-term ichthyological studies we registered: 80 fish species (from 63 genera, 37 families, 27 orders) in the Gulf of Odessa, 64 species (from 56 genera, 35 families, 27 orders) in the Dniester mouth forefront near-shores, and 76 species (from 63 genera, 40 families, 27 orders) in Snake Island coastal waters. The structures of fish assemblages are present in the comparative aspect. The long-term changes of the fish fauna species composition are discussed. Also we discussed the changes in the fish habitat conditions in the North-Western Black Sea, causes of the new species appearances in the study area, the effects of the invasive species on the native fauna.Suggestions (Conclusions). In total 98 species (from 79 genera, 42 families, 28 orders) of marine, brackish-water, anadromous and freshwater fish were identified. The number of fish species may increase in the case of the penetration and dispersal of new invading species, or transit of the freshwater fish into the coastal sea areas. The value of similarity of the ichthyofauna of the Odessa Bay and the Dniester mouth forefront at the species level is 80.6 %, of the Dniester coastal area and the coastal waters of the Snake Island – 77.1 %, of the Odessa Bay and coastal waters of Snake Island – 76.9 %. Key words: fish fauna; Gulf of Odessa; Dniester River mouth; Snake (Zmiinyi) Island.

Upwellings and water circulation of the north-western shelf of the Black Sea in the summer of 2017

On the basis of satellite and field atmospheric and marine observations, the water circulation processes of the north-western shelf (the NWS) of the Black Sea in the summer of 2017 were studied. The study indicated high stability of summer offshore winds of northern and north-northwest directions and 12 cases of coastal upwelling. Three cases of upwelling were instrumentally detected on the across-the-shore oceanographic sections during seasonal field works performed by the oceanographic unit of the branch “Odesa Area of State Hydrographic Service” of the state institution "State Hydrographic Service of Ukraine (SHSU)". The increase of coastal water density led to an abnormally active transfer along the coast of the Danube-Dniester interfluve area to the northernmost parts of the NWS. In 2017 a visual manifestation of anticyclonic character of summer circulation of the NWS's water could be observed. The obtained data confirm the previous conclusions on frequent cases of change in summer periods of traditional cyclonic water circulation to the anticyclonic one.
 The abnormal development of the summer circulation regime allowed us to record for the first time the transfer of coccolithophores phytoplankton from the open sea to the northern regions of the NWS and to reveal its intraseasonal spatial transformation and development process duration.
 In the seaward part of the Gulf of Odessa a frequently repeated vortex formation of cyclonic vorticity with spatial dimensions of up to 7-8 miles and orbital velocities, according to the presented data, of 0.12–0.18 m.c-1, and according to the latest field work, of over 0.30 m.c-1, was found.
 When analyzing the considered situations associated with transfer and vorticity of sea water a significant role was played by high-resolution visual images obtained from Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 satellites having a spatial resolution of 10 and 30 meters respectively, as well as by similar satellites of earlier modifications.

Morphological variability in Acanthocephaloides irregularis Amin, Oğuz, Heckmann, Tepe & Kvach, 2011 (Acanthocephala: Arhythmacanthidae) from the European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) (Moronidae) in Bizerte Lagoon, Tunisia.

Specimens of an arhythmacanthid acanthocephalan were recovered from the European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) (Perciformes: Moronidae) in Bizerte Lagoon, northern Tunisia. The specimens collected showed high morphological similarities to Acanthocephaloides irregularis Amin, Oğuz, Heckmann, Tepe & Kvach, 2011, recovered from four species of marine fishes in the Gulf of Odessa and Sukhyi Lyman off the Ukrainian Black Sea coast. Light and scanning electron microscopy revealed some morphological differences from the Black Sea specimens in trunk spine distribution, number of proboscis hooks in males (4 instead of 5), and lack of demonstrable trunk collar. These variations suggest that our specimens may only be a morphotype of A. irregularis with new host and locality records. A comparison between our specimens and those of the original description clarifies the possible reasons of this intraspecific morphological variability.

Finding of Pseudobacciger Harengulae (Digenea, Faustulidae) in the Mediterranean Horse Mackerel, Trachurus Mediterraneus (Actinopterygii, Carangidae), from The Gulf of Odessa, Black Sea, Ukraine

Abstract Pseudobacciger harengulae (Yamaguti, 1938) is a parasite of herrings (Actinopterygii, Clupeidae) in both Atlantic and Pacific oceans. We record this parasite from the gut of Trachurus mediterraneus (Steindachner, 1868) (Actinopterygii, Carangidae) from the Gulf of Odessa, Black Sea, Ukraine. A description and images of the specimens are provided. This is the first record of P. harengulae in a carangid fish, and the second record of accidental infestation of T. mediterraneus with faustulid flukes in the Black Sea.

PRESENT STATE OF FAUNA FREE-LIVING NEMATODES OF THE ODESSA SEA REGION

The study is based on the materials of benthic surveys carried out in 2005–2011 years. In Odessa marine region 50 species of free-living nematodes has been found belonging to 5 orders. The nematodes are found in almost all sites and made one of the dominant groups of meiobenthos in occurrence (93.8-100%) and population density (61.1%). Their biomass was 21.3%. Average abundance of nematodes totaled 180.8 ± 33.7 thousands expl.∙m-2 and biomass – 33.22 ± 6.28 mg∙m-2. Maximum density and high number of species (35) was noted on silts (the average abundance 270.0 ± 52.9 thousands expl.∙m-2, average biomass 50.90 ± 10.06 mg∙m-2).Nonselective detritophagous play the main role on all types of soil (35.7-58.0% of nematode population density). Sabatieria pulchra, Sabatieria abyssalis, Terschellingia pontica, Sphaerolaimus ostreae, Viscosia minor, Enoploides brevis are the predominant species. They are characterized by the high stability of its development in the current environmental conditions in the region. Among the constant dominant species in the central and southern parts of the district at a considerable distance from the coast and at depths of 20 m and more S. abyssalis dwelled and made from 37 to 56% of the nematodes abundance. In the coastal zone at depths up to 10 m with a predominance of sandy substrate except S. abyssalis (35% of population abundance), it is of great importance S. pulchra (12-35%). In the Gulf of Odessa near the port on the black silts S. pulchra (24-35%) dominated. The maximum abundance of nematodes observed in summer.The results of these studies can complement understanding of meiobenthos in Odessa marine region and the northwestern part of the Black Sea.

Видовий склад риб прибережних мілин Одеської затоки і його зміни залежно від часу доби

Видовий склад риб прибережних мілин Одеської затоки і його зміни залежно від часу доби

Benthic microalgae under the influence of beach nourishment in the Gulf of Odessa (the Black Sea)

Abstract Snigirova A., 2013: Benthic microalgae under the influence of beach nourishment in the Gulf of Odessa (the Black Sea) [Paplūdimių papildymo smėliu poveikis bentosinių dumblių bendrijoms Odesos įlankoje (Juodoji jūra)]. - Bot. Lith., 19(2): 120-128. The coast of the Gulf of Odessa (Odessa Bay) in the north-western part of the Black Sea is exposed to abrasive processes, which lead to its destruction. One of the measures for landslides stabilization is sand nourishment, which was held on the beach of the gulf in October 2007. As a result of shore protection works, the sand grain size on the beaches of Odessa has decreased by 53% on average. The influence of sand grain size on the abundance and biomass of benthic microalgae was investigated. Benthic microalgae were presented mostly by Bacillariophyta and Dinophyta. Other groups of Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta and Cryptophyta were less presented. The abundance and biomass of algae increased threefold and fourfold, accordingly, as a result of sand nourishment. Significant influence of fine sand particles on the biomass and abundance of microalgae was revealed. However, the structure of algological assemblages changed because of the increase of mixotrophic groups of algae contribution.

A species of sea anemone Sagartia elegans (Dalyell, 1848) (Anthozoa, Actiniaria, Sagartiidae) that is new for the Black Sea and is capable of clonal reproduction

In the Black Sea, the sea anemone Sagartia elegans (Dalyell, 1848) has been found for the first time in the Gulf of Odessa (46°31′60 N, 30°48′ E) and karst caves and grottos of the Western Crimea (45°21′ N, 32°30′ E). Previously, S. elegans was known to inhabit coastal waters of Iceland, the British Isles, and continental Europe from Scandinavia to the Adriatic Sea. According to the available data, this gonochoristic species tends to asexual somatic reproduction through laceration: juvenile polyps develop from separated fragments of the pedal disc. A rich color polymorphism is observed. The numerous clonal populations that are found in caves consist of variously sized and similarly colored polyps. All of them descended from one parental individual.

Acanthocephaloides irregularis n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Arhythmacanthidae) from marine fishes off the Ukrainian Black Sea coast

Acanthocephaloides irregularis n. sp. (Arhythmacanthidae) is described from four species of marine fishes in the Gulf of Odessa and Sukhyi Lyman, Ukrainan Black Sea waters, making it the tenth species of the genus. The hosts are the combtooth blenny Parablennius zvonimiri (Kolombatovic) (Blenniidae), the mushroom goby Ponticola eurycephalus (Kessler) (Gobiidae), the tubenose goby Proterorhinus marmoratus (Pallas) (Gobiidae) and the black-striped pipefish Syngnathus abaster Risso (Syngnathidae). The new species is most similar to its closest relative, Acanthocephaloides propinquus (Dujardin, 1845), in proboscis shape and armature (12 longitudinal rows of 5 hooks) and the shape of the trunk, reproductive system and lemnisci, but differs in having randomly distributed trunk spines. These trunk spines are organised in circular rings of individual spines separated by aspinose zones. The new species is also unique in having an anterior trunk collar, a very large triangular cephalic ganglion, nucleated pouches at the posterior end of the proboscis receptacle, and hooks and spines with roots bearing anterior manubria. Valid and invalid species of Acanthocephaloides Meyer, 1932 are listed and a key to all ten species is included.

Neogene structural styles of the NW Black Sea region, offshore Romania

The northwestern corner of the Black Sea (offshore Romania) is the only proven, developed, and producing oil province in the Black Sea (Figure 1). Production started about 20 years ago; today, more than 30,000 barrels per day of oil equivalent are produced from pre-Oligocene (Cretaceous-Eocene) reservoirs. The pre-Oligocene reservoirs are also productive in a few other hydrocarbon provinces of the Black Sea (Gulf of Odessa, offshore Bulgaria, and offshore Turkey) but only for dry gas. All developed hydrocarbon fields in the Black Sea are on the modern shelf.

First report of Saduria (Mesidotea) entomon (Linnaeus, 1758) (Isopoda: Chaetiliidae) in the Black Sea

Saduria entomon (Linnaeus, 1758) is a glacial relict with a distribution restricted to the Baltic Sea and several lakes in the Scandinavian region. It is also mentioned in arctic shallow waters of the North America, Siberia, and in the Caspian Sea. In February 2009, this isopod was reported for the first time from near the village of Lustdorf, in the Gulf of Odessa, Black Sea, Ukraine.

Stratigraphic and Structural Development of the Gulf of Odessa, Northwest Black Sea: Implications for Petroleum Exploration  :ABSTRACT

Stratigraphic and Structural Development of the Gulf of Odessa, Northwest Black Sea: Implications for Petroleum Exploration  :ABSTRACT

Microsatellite locus Ame17 polymorphism for round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) from Northwest Black Sea region

Aim. To identify the Ame17 polymorphic variants for round goby Neogobius melanostomus from Northwest Black Sea region. Methods. We determined polymorphism for 102 individuals of round goby. Genotyping was performed by PCR-analysis of Ame17 as described by Brown et al., 2008. The PCR-amplified DNA products were subjected to electrophoresis in 8 % polyacrylamide gel. Results. There have been identified 23 alleles. The range of repeat sizes was from 140 to 300 bp. The average heterozygosity was 0.76. Conclusions. There have been analyzed polymorphisms of Ame17 microsatellite locus for round goby from Northwest Black Sea region. The highest genetic diversity at Ame17 locus was observed for fish from the Gulf of Odessa. In terms of heterozygosity subpopulation of round goby from Bay Dzharylgach was significantly different from other localities.
 Keywords: round goby, polymorphism, microsatellite loci, Ame17.