Southeastern Kamchatka Research Articles

New species of snailfish of the genus Crystallichthys (Cottiformes: Liparidae) from the Pacific waters off Kamchatka

A new species of snailfish, Crystallichthys longirostris sp. nov., is described from Kronotskiy Bay, southeastern Kamchatka, from depths of 192 to 200 m. The new species differs from the three other species of the genus, C. mirabilis Jordan et Gilbert, 1898, C. cyclospilus Gilbert et Burke, 1912, and C. cameliae (Nalbant, 1965), in the unusually elongated shape of the narrow snout, the dot-like round pupil, simple (not three-lobed) teeth, and the short distance from the anus to the beginning of the anal fin (9% vs. 17–19% of standard length). The colour is pink, with clearly defined red-brown rings in an elongated oval shape. The new species is also recorded near the Northern Kuril Islands at a depth of 309 m. The diagnosis of the genus Crystallichthys Jordan et Gilbert, 1898 is emended considering the characters of the new species.

Nutrient Flux under the Influence of Melt Water Runoff from Volcanic Territories and Ecosystem Response of Vilyuchinskaya and Avachinskaya Bays in Southeastern Kamchatka

Nutrient fluxes with river runoff can largely determine the state of coastal water ecosystems. The Vilyuchinskaya and Avachinskaya Bays of Kamchatka Peninsula were surveyed on 4–5 July 2022, just after the peak of the spring–summer flood of the Vilyucha and Avacha Rivers associated with the snow melting in volcanic areas. Additionally, water sampling was performed in river water in December 2022, in the period of winter low water. A general undersaturation of CO2 of surface waters was observed in the Vilyuchinskaya and Avachinskaya Bays. Strong supersaturation of CO2 of the near-bottom waters was observed, due to microbial destruction of organic matter, especially in Avachinskaya Bay. This organic matter was formed as a result of photosynthesis in the water column, which subsequently gravitated to the bottom and concentrated in specific bottom depressions in the studied bays. In these depressions, black sediments were found, in which sulfate reduction occurred. The porewater of sediments had a very high concentration of organic carbon, dissolved and organic nitrogen, and phosphates, as well as CO2 partial pressure. The source of nutrients for the studied bays is tephra (volcanic suspended particles), which covers all the watersheds, including the soil and snow, as a result of volcanic activity in the study region. Based on the calculated nutrient fluxes in river runoff for the summer and winter seasons and the DIN/DIP ratios in river, sea, and pore waters, the causes of phytoplankton blooms, including the occurrence of red tides, are discussed. The maximum flux of nutrients and, accordingly, phytoplankton blooms should be expected in the years with the highest volcanic activity and high summer air temperatures, since the melting of nutrient-rich snow and ice will be maximum. This will determine the flux of nutrients in the river runoff of the Kamchatka Peninsula and contribute to phytoplankton blooms.

Biological Characteristics of the Great Sculpin Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus (Cottidae) from Pacific Waters off the Kuril Islands and Southeastern Kamchatka in Autumn Period

Biological Characteristics of the Great Sculpin Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus (Cottidae) from Pacific Waters off the Kuril Islands and Southeastern Kamchatka in Autumn Period

Biological Characteristics of the Great Sculpin Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus (Cottidae) from Pacific Waters off the Kuril Islands and Southeastern Kamchatka in Autumn Period

The spatial distribution, size-sex composition, feeding of Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus and accompanying species in the Pacific waters off the northern Kuril Islands and southeastern Kamchatka in the autumn period are considered. In August–November 1997, this species was represented in catches by individuals with a length of 30-89 (on average 47.8 ± 0.5) cm and a body weight of 300–11000 (2321 ± 90) g. Females dominated over males; the sex ratio was 1.2 : 1.0. The relationship between the body weight and length of great sculpin is described by the exponential equation: W = 0.0031FL3.446 (R2 = 0.935). The food spectrum of great sculpin includes fish (56.2% of the diet), mainly the walleye pollock Gadus chalcogrammus and Atka mackerel Pleurogrammus monopterygius (19.9 and 11.9%, respectively); fish processing wastes (19.6%), mainly heads of Atka mackerel (12.2%); as well as decapods (18.6%), mainly the snow crab Chionoecetes opilio (14.1%). As great sculpin grow, decapods are replaced by fish in the diet and walleye pollock is replaced by Atka mackerel and Liparidae. The size and sex composition and feeding patterns of great sculpin as well as the species composition of the accompanying species differed in some parts of the surveyed area. The co-occurrence of great sculpin with walleye pollock and the northern rock sole Lepidopsetta polyxystra was 100%.

The Aleutians and Beyond: Distribution, Size Composition, and Catch Dynamics of the Aleutian Skate Bathyraja aleutica across the North Pacific.

The results of long-term (1948-2021) studies on the spatial and vertical distribution, dynamics of abundance, and size composition of the Aleutian skate Bathyraja aleutica in the North Pacific Ocean are presented. Maximum densities of this species were characteristic of the eastern Bering Sea slope, off the central Aleutian Islands, consisting of the Pacific waters off southeastern Kamchatka and the northern Kurils, and northeastern Sakhalin. This species was most abundant at depths of 100-600 m; in the cold months, B. aleutica migrates to greater depths for over-wintering, and in warm months it feeds at shallower depths. Bathyraja aleutica was most common at the bottom, at temperatures around 3 °C. The total length of individuals ranged from 9.6-170 cm, with a predominance of skates with a length of 50-100 cm. Males did not differ significantly from females in body weight and length. The maximum values of the condition factor were typical for the autumn-winter period. Across years, there was an increase in Aleutian skate catch rates from the western Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk, and a decrease in the Pacific waters off the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka, as well as in Alaskan waters.

Population structure of walleye pollock within the Asian part of the range based on the analysis of various genetic markers

The aim: The aim of this work is focused on a phylogeographic analysis of the relationship between the population groups of walleye pollock Gadus chalcogrammus of the Asian part of the range.The methods: The analysis of phylogeographic analysis is based on the data of polymorphism of microsatellite markers, a fragment of the mtDNA control region (D-loop) and a fragment of the mtDNA cytochrome b gene. The newness: A comprehensive phylogeographic analysis using samples of spawning walleye pollock individuals from most of the Asian part of the range from the Sea of Japan to the northwestern Bering Sea using various genetic markers was carried out for the first time.The results: The results of the analysis of the variability of walleye pollock samples by mitochondrial markers (fragments of the cytochrome b and D-loop genes) allow us to distinguish two large population groupings within the Asian part of its range: the first one in the Sea of Okhotsk, the Sea of Japan, the waters of the Kuril Islands and southeastern Kamchatka and the second one in the Bering and Chukchi seas. Analysis of the variability of walleye pollock samples by microsatellite markers allows us to judge the absence of population groupings in the waters of the Sea of Okhotsk, the Sea of Japan, off the Kuril Islands and southeastern Kamchatka.The practical significance: When regulating pollock fishing in the Russian waters, it is necessary to establish a single total allowable catch (TAC) for each of the two superpopulations: the Sea of Okhotsk — Sea of Japan (1) and the Bering Sea (2) combining the sizes of proposed catch for walleye pollock groups belonging to each of these superpopulations.

The genus Schizymenia (Nemastomatales, Rhodophyta) on the Russian coast of the northwest Pacific and description of S. tamarae sp. nov

ABSTRACT We analysed rbcL and COI sequence data of specimens of Schizymenia from the Sea of Okhotsk and Sea of Japan. Our results revealed a new species of Schizymenia, S. tamarae sp. nov., from the northwestern Sea of Japan. This species is distinct based on shape and the position of glandular cells. Morphological and genetic analyses confirmed that the previously described S. jonssonii is a synonym of S. dubyi var. palmata, which was originally described from the Kuril Islands. The latter taxon was synonymized with Neoabbottiella valentinae. We verified the synonymy of the three names and the affinity of the taxon with the genus Schizymenia. Since the name N. valentinae has priority at the rank of species we propose Schizymenia valentinae comb. nov. The only species of Schizymenia currently known to occur along the Russian coast are S. valentinae and S. tamarae. Schizymenia valentinae is distributed along southeastern Kamchatka, on the Commander Islands and Kurile Islands, and S. tamarae is known only from the Sea of Japan, where it occurs from Olga Bay to Peter the Great Bay on the Russian coast, and in Japan.

On The Finding of Algae New to Southeastern Kamchatka in a Laboratory Marine Aquarium

On The Finding of Algae New to Southeastern Kamchatka in a Laboratory Marine Aquarium

TROPHIC RELATIONS OF PACIFIC SAFFRON COD <i>ELEGINUS GRACILIS</i> (TIL.) IN THE ICHTHYOCENES OFF KAMCHATKA AND NORTHERN KURILES

Materials collected during 28 bottom trawl surveys on the shelf and continental slope of Kamchatka and Northern Kuriles from 1996 to 2019 were basicaly used for the research. Analysis of 1980 trawl catches was made, where saffron cod was found. In examined waters off Kamchatka and Northern Kuriles saffron cod coexixted with species from 11 faunistic complexes and 7 ichthyocenes. Maximum similar species compositions of fish communities (>80% similarity) coexisting with saffron cod were obsered among communities in geographically adjacent areas, including Northern Kuriles – Southeastern Kamchatka and Northwestern Kamchatka – Southweatsern Kamchatka. Maximum differences in the fish fauna (<60% similarity) were revealed between districts strongly different in width of their continental shelf: Northwestern Kamchatka – Northern Kuriles and Northwestern Kamchatka – Southeaster Kamchatka. Depending on heat content in different years saffron cod was in the company of different, typical elittoral fish species – Pacific cod, walleye pollock or yellowfin sole. It was found based on the published and observed data, that saffron cod forage competitors and forage objects in most cases belong to elittoral group of the broad-boreal Pacific Ocean faunistic complex.

STARRY FLOUNDER <i>PLATICHTHYS STELLATUS</i> (PLEURONECTIDAE) OF THE PACIFIC WATERS OFF KAMCHATKA: SOME FEATURES OF THE BIOLOGY DISTRIBUTION AND STATE OF THE STOCK

Distribution, size composition of starry flounder Platichthys stellatus was investigated, and data on the biomass and abundance for the research period were demonstrated, based on the materials collected on the shelf of Southeastern Kamchatka in the process of bottom trawl surveys in 1999, 2002 and for the period 2016–2020. It was found that in summer most of the fish were in the northern parts of Avachinsky and Kamchatsky Gulfs and everywhere within Kronotsky Gulf. The trawl catches included large-sized flounder individuals. The maximum for the period of the research abundance and biomass were observed in 2002.

СОСТАВ ПРИБРЕЖНОЙ ИХТИОФАУНЫ ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНОЙ КАМЧАТКИ ПОСЛЕ ВРЕДОНОСНОГО ЦВЕТЕНИЯ ВОДОРОСЛЕЙ ОСЕНЬЮ 2020 ГОДА

The data on the composition of the ichthyofauna and relative quantity of common species of fishes in the littoral and the upper sublittoral zones in the coastal waters of the South-Eastern Kamchatka are provided basing on the analysis of the results of hook catches, collections made in the intertidal zone, and underwater photo- and video records performed in the May – September 2021. The obtained results show that the impact of the negative effect of harmful algal bloom in the autumn of 2020 on the composition of the species and quantity of fishes, inhabiting the intertidal zone, is very insignificant. Unfavorable ecological conditions in the upper sublittoral zone (2–25 m) in the South-Eastern Kamchatka in the autumn 2020 caused decrease the quantity of some fishes (mainly species of the family Stichaeidae) which hide on the bottom in the rock crevices or are buried in silty-sand bottom. But unfavorable ecological conditions practically had no influence on the quantity and mode of life of the representatives of ichthyofauna which were able to leave temporarily the coastal waters with harmful algal bloom areas.

ПОЛОВОЕ СОЗРЕВАНИЕ ДВУХ ВИДОВ КАМБАЛ (PLEURONECTES QUADRITUBERCULATUS И LIMANDA ASPERA) (PLEURONECTIDAE) У БЕРЕГОВ ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНОЙ КАМЧАТКИ

The paper presents the characteristics of sexual maturation of the yellowfin sole Limanda aspera and the lemon sole Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus off the coast of southeastern Kamchatka in 1959–2020. The proportion of mature fish depending on the length was analyzed on the basis of empirical and theoretical data, the dynamics of maturation of the gonads of males and females of two flounders by months was characterized. In the Pacific waters of Kamchatka, males and females of the yellowfin sole mature at a smaller size than in the eastern part of the Bering Sea and at a larger size than off the coast of Western Kamchatka. Mass maturation of lemon sole takes place first in the eastern part of the Bering Sea, then near southeastern Kamchatka, and lastly on the western Kamchatka shelf.

Long-term changes of abundance and population structure for sockeye salmon in Lake Dalneye (southeastern Kamchatka)

Effects of interannual fluctuations of sockeye salmon escapement to the spawning grounds on dynamics of sexual, age and length-weight structure of the population are demonstrated on generalized data of long-term observations in Lake Dalneye in 1939–2020. Mature sockeye specimens were caught in the Dalnaya River during their anadromous migration to the lake and analyzed by the authors, personally; archive and earlier published data were used, as well. The escapement was evaluated by visual assessment of the sockeye migrants entered to Lake Dalneye and confirmed by counting of mature individuals on the littoral spawning grounds in the lake. Number of dwarf sockeye salmon was estimated using the earlier found correlation between their stock and forage zooplankton biomass (Kurenkov, 1991; Pogodaev, Kurenkov, 2012). The zooplankton biomass was assessed on samples of zooplankton collected monthly at a stationary station in the central part of the lake (once a month during the ice period and up to three times per month during the ice-free period) from the layer 0–50/55 m by vertical towing of Juday plankton net (mouth diameter 18 cm). The numbers of anadromous sockeye males and females had ratio 1 : 1 in years with the maximum spawning stock, but < 1 : 1 when their returns to the lake decreased. Besides, the males were smaller in such years and the dwarfs (matured without migration to the sea) and jacks (matured with short marine period) were able to escape commercial fishing gears. Age of the spawners had a tendency to increase with decreasing of spawning runs and, conversely, more abundant runs were formed by younger spawners. Long-term pressure from fishery and selection of larger individuals caused the body length and weight decreasing for mature sockeye salmon, shortening of their period of marine feeding, and increasing of the smallsized males portion in the population.

Distribution of eggs and adults of alaska plaice Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus and flathead sole Hippoglossoides elassodon (Pleuronectidae) in the Pacific waters of Kamchatka

Distribution and biological parameters are considered for eggs and adults of two flatfish species on the data of annual surveys conducted on the shelf of southeastern Kamchatka in summer of 2011–2014 and 2016–2019. The eggs of Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus were sampled mostly at the stage of a germinal strip forming, whereas the eggs of Hippoglossoides elassodon were mostly at the stage of embryo cleavage. The main congestions of the eggs were found in the Kronotsky Bay and northern Avachinsky Bay. The adults of both species concentrated mainly in the northern Kronotsky Bay, at Cape Povorotny. Old age groups prevailed in aggregations of P. quadrituberculatus, but middle-age and young fish — in the aggregations of H. elassodon.

On reproductive biology of tanner crab Chionoecetes bairdi Rathbun, 1924 (Crustacea, Decapoda) females at southeastern Kamchatka

Fecundity and some other reproductive characteristics of tanner crab Chionoecetes bairdi females are studied for the first time in the area at southeastern Kamchatka on the materials collected in spring and summer aboard research vessels (in 2016 and 2019) and fishing boats (in 2020). The females with new eggs prevailed in the catches. The size of functional sexual maturity was determined as 79 mm. The implemented fertility was estimated as 93.4 ± 28.1.103 eggs in 2016 and 115.7 ± 24.5.103 eggs in 2019, on average. Reproductive effort and K/r-coefficient were evaluated; their relatively high values confirmed r-strategy of tanner crab reproduction.

State of stocks of pacific salmons in the basin of Avacha Bay (southeastern Kamchatka) in 1985–2019

State of pacific salmon stocks is considered for the basins of the Avacha and Paratunka Rivers in 1985–2019. Significant decline of the stocks is noted that is associated with anthropogenic impact growth. Total number of producers for five salmon species in the Paratunka is almost twice higher than in the Avacha, with the largest portion of pink salmon, then chum salmon, lower portion of coho salmon, and the smallest portions of sockeye and chinook salmons, which need special protection. The main biological parameters of salmons are analyzed for both rivers, as body length, weight, fecundity, sex ratio and age structure, by species. Relationships between the parameters are revealed; their long-term trends are determined. Abundance of wildly and artificially hatched chum salmon is compared.

Distribution and Size and Sex Composition of the Mud Skate Bathyraja taranetzi in the Pacific Waters off the Northern Kuril Islands and Coasts of Southeastern Kamchatka in the Summer Period

In the summer period, the mud skate Bathyraja taranetzi lives at depths from ~100 to 757 m in the Pacific waters off the northern Kuril Islands and southeastern Kamchatka; it concentrates off the northern Kuril Islands in the depth range of 250−360 m. Specimens of 11.3−67.5 cm in length (TL) were recorded in catches. Only large fish occur at a depth of 60 cm because they attain larger sizes than males In general, the sex ratio in the population of mud skate is close to 1 : 1.

A new species of Careproctus (Cottoidei: Liparidae) from the Sea of Okhotsk and a redescription of the blacktip snailfish Careproctus zachirus

A new snailfish, Careproctus shigemii, is described on the basis of three specimens collected in the southern Sea of Okhotsk, off Hokkaido, Japan. The new species has previously been confused with Careproctus zachirus Kido 1985, known from the Aleutian Islands, eastern Bering Sea, the Pacific Ocean off southeastern Kamchatka and the northern Kuril Islands, and the southern Sea of Okhotsk off Hokkaido, Japan, because of their similar appearance, including a noticeably elongate pectoral fin extending beyond the anal-fin origin, the gill slit entirely above the pectoral fin, no opercular flap projection, one suprabranchial pore, and trilobed teeth. However, C. shigemii is clearly differentiated from C. zachirus in having dorsal and anal fins margined with black (vs. white margined dorsal and anal fins with a black submarginal band), and a black caudal fin (vs. pale pink caudal fin), when fresh. Careproctus shigemii differs additionally from C. zachirus in having the cephalic pore pattern 2-6-6-1 (vs. 2-6-7-1), 30–35 pyloric caeca (vs. 20–31), and a shorter pectoral fin lower lobe, 8.2–9.9% SL (vs. longer lobe, 15.9–25.6% SL). A large sequence divergence between C. shigemii and C. zachirus (0.028 in uncorrected p-distance) in the DNA barcoding region (COI) also supports the validity of each species. A redescription of C. zachirus is also provided on the basis of the holotype, paratypes and non-type specimens.

ВЛИЯНИЕ АНТРОПОГЕННОГО ЗАГРЯЗНЕНИЯ НА ВОДОРОСЛИ-МАКРОФИТЫ АВАЧИНСКОЙ ГУБЫ (ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ КАМЧАТКА)

The results of assessing the sources and degree of anthropogenic pollution of the Avacha Bay (southeastern Kamchatka) are presented. The main sources of anthropogenic pollution of the bay and surrounding areas are towns and villages located on its shores, as well as its tributaries — the Avacha and Paratunka rivers. The Bay is permanently polluted with petroleum products, phenols, detergents, salts of heavy metals, and radioactive substances. The coastal waters of the Kamchatka Peninsula contain the most significant reserves of brown algae, mainly represented by the kelp order, including Fucus distichus subsp. evanescens and Eualaria fistulosa. In the Avacha Bay, micropopulations of some species of algae underwent changes, so the brown algae Eualaria fistulosa is currently found only in the estuary of the Avacha Bay. According to the latest data, E. fistulosa is found in the Bay in very small amounts, and in storm emissions it is recorded in the form of separate individual parts. The complex of indicators proves that the most contaminated hypertoxic sections of the coast include the shoreline starting from the Nikolskaya hill, coasts of Rakovaya, Mokhovaya, Seroglazka, and Petropavlovskiy Kovsh bays, where the entire fucoid belt was almost destroyed. The authors highlight the importance of regular environmental monitoring of the Avacha Bay. Much attention is given to urgency of technological reconstruction of sewage and sewage treatment plants, as well as the lifting of sunken ships and other large metal garbage.

CURRENT STATE OF STOCK FOR TANNER CRAB CHIONOECETES BAIRDI RATHBUN, 1924 (CRUSTACEA, DECAPODA) AT THE SOUTH-EASTERN COAST OF KAMCHATKA

Tanner crab Chionoecetes bairdi is the highly valuable object of commercial fishery dwelling in the seas surrounding Kamchatka Peninsula. Its landings started at the southeastern coast of Kamchatka in early 1980s and continued till 2009, when the fishery was stopped by reasons independent on the stock state. It was launched again in 2017. Now the species is landed mostly in the Petropavlovskaya fishery subzone (62 % of the total allowable catch of tanner crab in Russia in 2019), whereas its stocks at southwestern Kamchatka and in the northwestern Bering Sea are rather low. Modern condition of the tanner crab population and its distribution at southeastern Kamchatka are considered on the data of the trap surveys conducted in spring and summer of 2012 and 2018. Between these years, commercial males of these species spread wider at southeastern Kamchatka and formed commercial aggregations in the northern Avachinsky Bay and in the southern and central parts of the Kronotsky Bay, but were rare southward from Cape Povorotny. They became larger: while size of the males varied in the range 50–170 mm in both years, the males with the carapace width < 120 mm prevailed in 2012, but the large-sized males with commercial size were more numerous in 2018. Percentage of the females in the catches was low both in 2012 and 2018 that is typical for the trap catches. The crabs at the 3rd stage of molting dominated both in May and August of 2012 and 2018. Injury level of the commercial males was rather high and increased from 2012 to 2018 in 8 %. Good current condition of the tanner crab population at southeastern Kamchatka is concluded.