2025 Ecosystem Transformation 8 (2), 239-251

Depth-related mollusk abundance distribution in the northern Caspian Sea

Degtyareva L.V.  

The abundance of mollusk species has been studied in the northern Caspian Sea in 2013–2017. MacArthur's broken stick species-abundance model was applied. The mollusk abundance varied in regard to the sea depth. At the depth range of 4–18 m, the mollusk community population structure was the most even. At 0–4-m depth range and at the depths exceeding 18 m, the mollusks were distributed more randomly. Such low evenness indicated the competition for resources, which was due to the low organic matter content in the bottom sediments. High mollusk abundance at 4–8-m depth range favors the feeding of benthophagous fish.

L. V. Degtyareva
Caspian Marine Scientific Research Center
Shiryaeva St. 14, Astrakhan, 414045 Russia

Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences
Nakhimovsky Prospekt 36, Moscow, 117997 Russia

kaspmniz@mail.ru

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