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Data of morphometric measurements of Strongylura anastomellaFL 71.2 cm, which entered the fixed seine set near the mouth of the Lyutoga River on June 8, 2023 are presented. Information on its catches at other coastal sites in Sakhalin waters is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of studying the bathymetric and spatial distribution of the barred snailfish Crystallias matsushimae are presented according to bottom trawl surveys in the Russian waters of the Sea of Japan. The species does not form dense aggregations, although it is not as rare as was previously thought: in bottom trawl catches on the continental slope, the frequency of its occurrence is about 30%. The main areas of the species aggregations are the western part of the Peter the Great Gulf and the deep-water section of the Tatar Strait between the mainland and Sakhalin Island. Despite the relatively wide range of water temperature and depths at which the snailfish was found in catches, the species prefers rather narrow thermal and bathymetric ranges: 0.6–1.5°C and 200–500 m. Mysids, amphipods and decapods dominate in the diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fish species diversity, fish density, and distribution in the nearshore beds of Zostera marina and Ulva fenestrata have been assessed by SCUBA visual counts in May–September and November 2021. In total, 23 fish species have been registered. The fish species richness increases from 8–13 species in May to a maximum of 17–19 species at the end of June. Then it slightly decreases in July–September and reaches its lowest values in November (2–5 species). The same changes have been noted for the fish density. Fish diversity in the Zostera beds is higher than in the Ulva ones. The similarity of the fish species composition between Zostera and Ulva is low (the Sørensen-Czekanowski index varied from 0.32 to 0.44). In general, fish density is low (from 2.4 to 112.4 ind./50 m2 in Ulva (in November) and Zostera (in July) beds, respectively), although with an exception for Opisthocentrus spp. and Gymnogobius heptacanthus juveniles. An abnormal high bottom water temperature (above 26°C) in late July–early August has led to temporal avoidance of shallow water with plant beds by fishes (except for Gymnogobius heptacanthus) and their shift to a depth of 3.5–4.5 m, where the temperature was lower by 4.0–5.7°С. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic diversity of Pacific rainbow smelt Osmerus dentex from the seas of Okhotsk and Japan has been studied based on nine microsatellite loci and the control region of mitochondrial DNA (940 base pairs). The lowest values of all parameters of genetic diversity of mitochondrial DNA were observed in the group of samples from the northern coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. The highest value of the haplotype diversity was found in the sample from the Sakhalin Island and in rainbow smelt from the Sea of Japan. The star-shaped topology of the genealogical structures indicates a rapid expansion of the abundance and the origin of all populations of the species from a single common ancestor from the main refugium. Based on the results of analysis of nuclear markers, we have revealed a statistically significant genetic structuring of rainbow smelt within its Pacific range (the coefficient of genetic differentiation (FST) is 0.033), which is adequately described by the model of isolation by distance. The greatest genetic differences in two types of markers from the other samples have been found in rainbow smelt from the Shkotovka and Botchi rivers of the basin of the Sea of Japan and from the Naiba River (Sakhalin). The observed patterns of genetic differentiation of Pacific rainbow smelt by the nuclear and mitochondrial markers complement each other well and are most likely associated with differences in the distribution of smelt larvae from the spawning grounds, which are determined by the differentiation of oceanographic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two intraspecific groups of the plain sculpin Myoxocephalus jaok inhabiting the Russian territoral waters in the Sea of Japan, representing the northern and southern species groups, have been revealed. In a summer season, the species groups are separated from each other by a wide water area extending from 45° to 48° N. The northern species-group nucleus in this period is located in the Tatar Strait inlet, while the southern species group inhabits the Peter the Great Bay. In the summertime, the plain sculpin prefers the upper slope shelf area with water column depths ranged from 80 m (for the southern species group) to 60 m (for the northern species group). The juvenile fish tend to be found in shallower waters as opposed to the mature fish. In a cold season, the majority of fish stocks of the southern species group is still congregating in the Peter the Great Bay, shifting to the shelf edge and the continental slope. Some porton of male fish remains at spawning grounds in the coastal zone to the springtime to guard egg clutches. The specimens of the nothern group leave the shallow-water Tatar Bay inlet at massive level to congregate over the winter in the locations of a deep-water area off the mid-coastal zone of the Sakhalin Island. The specimens of the northern group reach the body length of 67 cm, while the sizes in the southern fish group are larger, reaching 75 cm in length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research outcomes of spatial and bathymetric distribution of dragon poacher Percis japonica are reported based on the bottom trawl surveys carried out in the Russian territorial waters in the Sea of Japan. The species can be found in the waters along the entire coastline. However, its spatial distribution pattern is variable. Thus, its distribution is sparse off the coasts of West Sakhalin, especially off the southern part of the island, while the species tends to congregate in the Peter the Great Bay and the Tatar Strait, where the locations of the species across these water areas remain almost unchanged throughout the year. With respect to the Northern Primorye Coastal Zone, the even distribution is typical for the entire water area, without any high congregation locations. Therefore, the dragon poacher can be found in wide ranges of depths and temperatures. However, its preferable ranges are substantially narrower. The highest values for available biomass resources are typical for the water areas off the Northern Primorye Coastal Zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purplegray sculpin Gymnocanthus detrisus occurs at the depths between of 17 and 595 m at the temperature from –1.1 to+13.2°C off the mainland coast of the Russian waters of the Sea of Japan. In the warm period, the fish are concentrated in the middle and lower parts of the shelf, mainly at a temperature of 1.2–2.0°C, in the cold period, in the lower part of the shelf and the upper part of the continental slope at 0.6–1.4°C. The water area in the north (the waters of the Tatar Strait) is intensively used only in the warm season. The main aggregations are formed in the south (Peter the Great Bay) and in the areas of the central part of the surveyed region. Juveniles are more eurythermal than adult individuals and more adults prefer the shelf zone in all seasons, where the temperature regime is less stable than on the mainland slope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Off the mainland coast of the Russian waters of the Sea of Japan, the Black Edged sculpin Gymnocanthus herzensteini occurs at depths from 10 to 424 m at temperatures from −0.7 to +17°С. The main aggregations throughout the year are formed in the southern part of the region. It does not enter the continental waters of the Tatar Strait above 48°40′ N. The area bordering the waters of the strait is inhabited mainly by adult fish and to a greater extent during the cold season than during the warm season. Seasonal migrations are predominantly bathymetric in nature. Juveniles in all seasons adhere to the shelf zone, being more eurythermal than adults. As the Black Edged sculpin grows, it becomes more stenothermic and eurybatic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Great sculpin Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus is distributed in the Russian waters of the Sea of Japan at the depths between 6 and 640 m at the temperature from –1.2 to +15.5°C. Its seasonal migrations are mainly bathymetric. The latitudinal migrations are observed only in the northwestern part of the Tatar Strait, and they have a southern direction in the fall and northern direction in the spring. In the winter, the majority of great sculpins avoids negative water temperature in the upper part of the shelf and prefers its lower part and upper areas of the continental slope. In the summer, the fish are concentrated in the upper and middle parts of the shelf. The juveniles are more eurythermal than adult individuals, and they are distributed in the shelf zone over the entire year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fifth part of the review represents the last part of the annotated list of fish species found in the marine (within a 200-mile zone), brackish, and fresh waters of Sakhalin: 84 species from one order Perciformes, one suborder Cottoidei, two families Cyclopteridae and Liparidae, and 13 genera. The review also represents general ecological characteristics of the ichthyofauna of Sakhalin, as well as a final essay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The revision of the prickled eelpout g. Krusensterniella, resulted in description of three new species from the Far-Eastern seas. The genus now includes seven species. For Notable prickled eelpout K. notabilis, the data of the type series have been specified, and the lectotype has been identified (ZIN no. 13011); the range includes the Sea of Okhotsk (from Sakhalin to Northwestern Kamchatka), the Kuril Islands (Simushir and Ushishir) and the Tatar Strait of the Sea of Japan. Maculate prickled eelpout K. maculata (the holotype was not preserved; paratypes ZIN no. 29989) is reliably known along the continental part of the Sea of Japan from the Tatar Strait to Peter the Great Bay (at depths of 53–150 m). Scaly prickled eelpout K. squamosa sp. nov., similar in number of spiny rays (=pungent spines) in the dorsal fin (II) to K. notabilis (I–IV), is described from the Pacific waters of Honshu Island (depth 194 m; holotype ZIN no. 48390). Kuril prickled eelpout K. kurilensis sp. nov. and Triksy prickled eelpout K. pseudomaculata sp. nov. similar in number of pungent spines to K. maculata (X, VI–XI, and VII–VIII, respectively), but differ in the number of vertebrae and total number of pungent spines in the dorsal fin, as well as in the arrangement of spiny rays and the degree of scale development. A specimen of K. kurilensis (holotype ZIN no. 51575) was caught from the Pacific side of the southern Kuril Islands (depth 142 m). K. pseudomaculata sp. nov. found in the Sea of Japan (holotype ZIN no. 40166) and in the Sea of Okhotsk from Sakhalin to Shelikhov Bay (at depths of 25–164 m). A key is provided to identify all species of the genus, including the previously re-examined Multispined prickled eelpout K. multispinosa and Pavlovski prickled eelpout K. pavlovskii (with the number of spiny rays XV–XX and XXIII–XXVI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fourth part of the report represents the next part of the annotated list of fish species found in the marine (within a 200-mile zone), brackish, and fresh waters of Sakhalin: 113 species from one order, three suborders, 9 families, and 53 genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the waters of Primorye in the spring-summer period, the Okhotsk snailfish Liparis ochotensis is distributed in the depth range from 50 (minimum analyzed) to 741 m; prefers the upper part of the continental slope (200–500 m). In spring, juvenile specimens, to a greater extent than adult fish, gravitate towards shelf waters, while in summer they live mainly on the continental slope. In both seasons, the Okhotsk snailfish prefers temperatures above 0.3°С: in the Peter the Great Bay, mainly to 1.2°С, in the waters of Northern Primorye to 2.0°С. The species reaches 82 cm in body length and 7.2 kg in body weight. The largest fish are found in the summer in the south of the region, in Peter the Great Bay. By the nature of its nutrition, it is a nektobentoichthyovore: decapods (74.6%) dominate the diet, mainly shrimps, fish, mysids and euphausiids play a secondary role. As the snailfish grows, the daily ration decreases from 4.5 to 1.6% and, on average, in individuals 11−70 cm in length it is 2.0% of body weight. The seasonal dynamics of the feeding intensity is poorly expressed, which is determined by living in relatively stable abiotic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the northwestern part of the Sea of Japan, hunchback sculpin Malacocottus gibber occurs in the depth range from 160 to 940 m (maximum trawling depth) at a water temperature of 0.1–2.6°C except its atypical capture at a depth of 79 m. In the southern area (below 47°10′ N), it prefers the depth range of 300–500 m in the warm season and depths over 400 m in the cold season. In the northern area (above 47°10′ N), it tends to live at depths from 500 to 700 m throughout the year; in the cold period, its density increases in this area as a result of M. gibber approaches from smaller depths. M. gibber forms denser concentrations and begins to occur at a shallower depth under higher temperature conditions in the southern area than in the northern one. Its maximum length is 31 cm. It reaches maturation at a length of 15–18 cm; the proportion of males (in particular, adult individuals) is higher in this size group than among juveniles. On the whole, the population is dominated by females at a sex ratio of 1.5 : 1.0. M. gibber is a euryphage that feeds mainly on northern shrimp, squids of the genus Gonatopsis, polychaetes, gammarids, and euphausiids. In the spring–summer period, the average daily ration of individuals 11–25 cm long is 2.5% of body weight; no significant size-age and seasonal dynamics is observed in the feeding intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The third part of the report represents the annotated list of fish species found in the marine (within a 200-mile zone), brackish, and fresh waters of Sakhalin: 145 species from 2 orders, 22 families, and 61 genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second part of the report represents the annotated list of fish species found in the marine (within a 200-mile zone), brackish, and fresh waters of Sakhalin: 139 species from 22 orders, 54 families, and 105 genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term (1980−2018) data on the water temperature regime and associated synoptic processes in favorable and unfavorable years of the abundance formation and the pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha return to the rivers of the Sea of Japan coast in Primorskii krai have been analyzed. It is shown that low catches of Primorye pink salmon at the end of the past century were accompanied by negative temperature anomalies in the coastal waters and increasing catches during the first two decades of the new century were accompanied by positive temperatures anomalies. Pink salmon returns to rivers at the sea-water temperature 8.6−14.9°С, and values below 3.0–4.0°С are one of the reasons of redistribution of anadromous migratory flows of pink salmon in the Primorye subzone. The synoptic and hydrological situation at different intensity of pink salmon return is described using concrete examples. With a high frequency of cold air troughs typical for the first cold stage of the Far Eastern monsoon caused by the Okhotsk anticyclone, the pink salmon return was delayed and extremely high catches were recorded when the second (warm) stage of the summer monsoon strengthened due to spreading of the Hawaiian anticyclone in the Sea of Japan. The results may be used for short-term prediction of the dynamics of the Primorye pink salmon return. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was revealed that the southern border of the range of spectacled sculpin Triglops scepticus runs in the region of 37°23′ N. It has been confirmed that the southern border of the range of Jordan's sculpin T. jordani is located in the South Korean waters; of ribbed sculpin T. pingelii range, in the North Korean waters. In the Russian waters of the Sea of ​​Japan, Jordan's sculpin occurs at depths of 14–230 m and water temperature of –1–13.8°C; ribbed sculpin, 30–424 m and –0.3–9.7°C; spectacled sculpin, 57–586 m and 0.3–4.3°C, respectively. In the warm period, the concentrations are somewhat shifted towards shallow waters; in the cold period, towards deep waters. The body length and weight of one-sized individuals increase with the degree of deep-water preference. The body length of Jordan's sculpin reaches 20 cm; of ribbed sculpin, 23 cm; of spectacled sculpin, 26 cm. In all three species, females are larger than males. Females dominate populations of Jordan's and ribbed sculpins while in spectacled sculpin the share of males is higher. In the northwestern part of the Sea of Japan spectacled and ribbed sculpins are planktivores consuming mainly hyperiids and euphasiids while Jordan's sculpin is nectobenthivore with food dominated by mysids and small shrimps. During the spring—summer period mean values of daily rations of adult specimens of Jordan's, ribbed and spectacled sculpins are 3.3, 2.4 and 1.8% of body weight, respectively. The biomass of g. Triglops species in the Russian zone of the Sea of Japan is about 2100 tonnes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complete annotated list of marine, brackish-water, and freshwater ichthyofauna of Sakhalin Island and the adjacent southern part of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk is provided for the first time in the entire history of the study of the fish population. It is based on a critical analysis of the literature data for the last 200 years, collection materials, and the results of our own long-term studies. The list includes 600 species in 4 classes, 44 orders, 17 suborders, 129 families, 50 subfamilies, and 312 genera. It presents both English and Latin (scientific) names, information on the ranges in the World Ocean and distribution within Sakhalin waters, and data on the conservation status, commercial importance, and abundance. For a number of species, the list also provides information on collection specimens, confirming their presence within the studied water area. For all species, the current ranges and taxonomic status are specified according to the new data, if any. The so-called controversial taxa are discussed. The first part provides brief information about the history of the study of the Sakhalin ichthyofauna, the geographical and oceanological characteristics of the study area, as well as the first 118 species of the annotated list belonging to 79 genera, 42 families and 20 orders in 4 classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—The discovery of a spawning ground for Alaska skate Bathyraja parmifera in the northwestern part of the Sea of Japan (42°21′1″ N 131°16′6″ E), at a depth of 216–224 m and a bottom temperature of 1.0°C It is reported for the first time. Spawners and egg cases were found at the spawning ground. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ichthyoplankton of the upper epipelagic zone (0–50 m) was studied in the northern part of the Sea of ​​Japan in July–August 2017. Eggs of seven fish species and larvae of five fish species from five families were recorded off the coast of Primorye; eggs of six species from five families and larvae of 12 species from seven families, in the Strait of Tartary. Eggs and larvae of four species of the Pleuronectidae family (Limanda punctatissima, Glyptocephalus stelleri, Cleisthenes herzensteini, and Acanthopsetta nadeshnyi) prevailed everywhere. Off the coast of Primorye, Cl. herzensteini dominated, and in the Strait of Tartary, L. punctatissima. In comparison with the results of the Kuril-Sakhalin expedition performed the late 1940s, the eggs of pelagic fish species, such as Engraulis japonicus, Cololabis saira, and Scomber japonicus, was found in small quantities and only in the surface water layer. The results allow us to report on slight changes in the species composition relative to the middle of the last century, on the one hand, and significant changes in the dominant species, on the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty percent of Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus males reach sexual maturity in waters of Primorye at the age of 2+, while the age of female sexual maturation is 4+; 100% sexual maturation occurs at the age of 6+ and 7+, respectively. According to the long-term average data, the general number of males is 1.2 times larger than that of females in the population; among mature individuals, the number males is 1.7 times larger than females, which is required for successful spawning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on materials from bottom trawl surveys of 2009–2015, biomass and abundance of bottom fish of the Sea of ​​Japan between the Povorotny and Zolotoy capes (Northern Primorye) were estimated. Information is provided on the population structure of common fish species in the study area. According to the long-term biomass data, scale-eye plaice Acanthopsetta nadeshnyi (20.43%) and Alaska pollock Gadus chalcogrammus (11.31%) dominate. The total average annual ichthyomass is 188 300 t or 5.4 t/km2; the number is 1482.6 million ind. or 42 300 ind./km2. The average specific biomass of fish varied over the years from 1.8 (in 2010) to 7.8 t/km2 (in 2014). In 2010, compared to 2000, the average specific biomass of fish has increased approximately twofold due to the appearance of a number of generations of common species of the bottom ichthyocene relative to the productive generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Russian waters of the Sea of Japan, antlered sculpin Enophrys diceraus occurs throughout the year at depths of 4–605 m and temperature of –1.4 to +16.8°C. It is concentrated in the range of depths 30–90 m at 7.3–2.1°C in summer and 200–380 m in winter at stable low-positive temperature. Its spawning migrations in autumn and feeding migrations in spring are directed towards the coast. The main aggregations are formed in the south (Peter the Great Bay) and in central regions off the continental coast and in the southern part of Sakhalin off the insular coast. It does not form aggregations in the northern part of Tatar Strait. Antlered sculpin reaches a larger size (length of 38 cm and weight of over 1 kg) in the Sea of Japan than in northern seas. The maximum size is inherent in males. In the northwestern part of the Sea of Japan, antlered sculpin is a benthophage–polyphage: juveniles feed mainly on bivalve mollusks, amphipods, and polychaetes and adult individuals generally eat echinoderms (mainly brittle stars) and mollusks. The revealed regional and seasonal variation in the food composition is presumably determined by the food supply features. In April to August, the daily ration of the fish with a length of 11–30 cm is 1.1% of the body weight and decreases from 2.6 to 0.9% with its growth. The biomass of antlered sculpin in Russian waters of the Sea of Japan has varied from 5000 to 7000 t in recent years. The bulk of its stock is concentrated off the continental coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reproduction period of the sea raven Hemitripterus villosus were studied by visual SCUBA-diving methods in 1997–2016 in Peter the Great Bay, the Sea of Japan. It has been found that the beginning and the end of the spawning period shifted to a later date (5–12-day shift) in particular years, which is explained by the increased water temperature at the spawning grounds by 1.6–2.5°C in September–October. The degree of damage of the open egg masses has greatly increased (from 35.2 to 60.4%), the main predator is the sea urchin Mesocentrotus nudus. The observed changes in the timing of reproduction and an increase in the degree of egg consumption by predators are not critical factors for reducing the abundance of the sea raven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—: Main concentrations of Gilbert’s Irish lord Hemilepidotus gilberti in the Russian waters of the Sea of Japan are registered off the coasts of South and Central Primorye and western Sakhalin. During the course of the year, the representatives of the species are found at the depths between 9 and 668 m at a water temperature of the near-bottom layer from -1.8 to +16.1°С. In the summer, they prefer the upper and middle zones of the shelf with a temperature between 1.5 and 3.0°С, while the fishes are found in the lower part of the shelf and upper zone of the continental slope with low positive temperatures in the winter. The juveniles live at smaller depths than adult individuals and at the largest seasonal temperature fluctuations. The fishes 3-37 cm in body length are registered in the catches, and the size group 18-26 cm prevails. The females are more abundant in the population, and they reach a larger body size than the males. Mass spawning occurs in August and September at the depth of 30-80 m. In the waters of Primorye, Gilbert’s Irish lord feeds on mainly decapods, polychaetes, and amphipods. From April to November, the daily ration of the juveniles and adult fishes is equal to 5.0 and 3.0% of body weight, respectively. Two maximums are observed in the feeding intensity of adult fishes: prespawning (July) and postspawning (November). The biomass of Gilbert’s Irish lord in the Russian waters of the Sea of Japan is estimated as 1500 t. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detailed morphological description of Cherskii’s sculpin Cottus czerskii (Cottidae) is conducted. Main directions of intraspecific variation of the phenotype are described. The ontogenetic variation of 24 of 31 morphometric characters is registered. The characters are subdivided into four categories based on the features of their variation and degree of ontogenetic allometry. Sexual dimorphism is observed based on the following characters: length of the rays of the pelvic fin, length of the anal fin base, depth of the anal fin, antedorsal distance, and head depth. A latitudinal increase of the fin rays in the anal and pectoral fins from the southern to the northern parts of the biogeographic range is registered. The relationships of the species with other representatives of the family Cottidae are discussed based on the comparative analysis of morphological and ecological features. A complex of plesiomorphic morphological and ecological characteristics, which are similar to those in more ancient catadromous, brackish-water, and marine forms, is described. Based on morphological characters, C. czerskii is substantially similar to C. hangiongensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The specificity of the species composition of the ichthyofauna in the Russian and Korean waters in the Sea of Japan/East Sea (northwards from 35°17'N) is considered. The population and the proportion of species from the order of the perch-like fishes (Perciformes) steadily decline from the south towards the north; the proportion of the species from the order of the ray-finned fish (Scorpaeniformes) tends to rise. The northward latitudinal gradient in the family composition variability results in a decrease of their numbers along with a significant increase in the sculpins (Cottidae) and the picklebacks (Stichaeidae) in the species composition. In the southernmost region of the studied water area, the sublittoral species tend to prevail; in all of the others, the elittoral species are predominant. The four northern areas are characterized by a high similarity in the species composition (81.8%); this value is significantly lower (63.1%) in case of their comparison with the more southern areas. The similarity in the ichthyofauna composition between the southernmost area and the other studied water area comprises 44.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial and depth-related distribution, the size spectra, and the feeding peculiarities have been studied for the bottom skate Bathyraja bergi in the Russian waters of the Sea of Japan for the trawl catches performed in 1986−2015. The species is found at the depths of 38−577 m at the water temperature of 0.3−3.8°C; during the warm season, the fish keep mainly at the shelf, while they keep at the continental slope in the cold period of the year. This species is found nearly everywhere at the preferred depth range, except a part of the Strait of Tartary. The highest population density has been registered in the southwestern Peter the Great Gulf, along the border with the Korean waters. The schools of the bottom skate of the continental slope and the island shallows do not interact with each other. The specimens reach a body length of 129 cm and a body weight of 13.84 kg. The feeding habits indicate that this species is a predator; decapods (59.9%), cephalopods (23.0%), and fish (15.3%) dominate in the food. In spring, average daily ration constitutes 0.9% of the body weight. In the Russian waters of the Sea of Japan, the bottom skate is a common species, however, it is not abundant; the biomass of the population in this area is approximately 1500 tons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamics of the linear sizes of the barfin plaice Liopsetta pinnifasciata has been considered during the life cycle. Two stages are distinguished: an intensive initial growth (35.9% of the maximum length for 6.0% of the life) and its subsequent gradual variation. The linear growth rate is shown to correspond to the rate of sclerite formation on the scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New data on the maximum sizes and habitation depths for 83 species belonging to 15 families of demersal fish in the Russian zone of the Sea of Japan are provided on the basis of the results of the long-term studies conducted at the TINRO center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on species composition of ichthyoplankton of the coastal zone of western part of Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan are generalized. Here eggs, larvae, and fry of 77 species of fish belonging to 25 families occur, which comprises 24.4% of the total number of species inhabiting Peter the Great Bay. Among the studied water areas, maximum species diversity (60 species) was recorded in ichthyoplankton of the eastern site of the sea biosphere reserve. Seasonal dynamics of species composition of ichthyoplankton of the coastal zone of the western part of Peter the Great Bay was traced: number of species reduced from 52 in May to two in October. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of trawl catches in 1982-2013, data on occurrence, distribution, size-age and sex composition, as well as feeding of Berg's longhorn sculpin Taurocottus bergii in the northwestern part of the Sea of Japan are provided. It is shown that this species was erroneously included into the Red Data Book of Primorskii krai, since it is common over the most part of the water area. Bathymetric range of occurrence of the goby is 15-600 m. The main mass of fish migrates at a depth of 150-250 m in waters with the highest temperature (0.8-0.9°C) and prefers depths of 60-250 m with a temperature of 1.5-1.9°C in summer. Juveniles in the warm period of the year inhabit the warmer shallow zone. Maximum length of Berg's longhorn sculpin is 29 cm. The rate of growth, limiting sizes, and duration of life of females are higher than those of males. The former dominate in the population and reach an age no less than 10 years, and the latter reach no less than 9 years. Sexual maturity of fish occurs at the third to fourth years of life. According to the type of feeding, Berg's longhorn sculpin is a benthoichthyophage: juveniles eat mainly polychaetes and gammarids, and adult individuals eat mainly decapods (mainly prawns, shrimps) and small fish. The average magnitude of the daily ration of the sculpin in the spring period is 2.3% of the body weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the northwestern part of the Sea of Japan, thorny sculpin Icelus cataphractus reaches a length of 32 cm and occurs at depths 22-650 m. As a numerous species, it can be characterized for Peter the Great Bay and adjacent areas of Primorye. The range of dwelling of I. cataphractus is widest in the period of spring migrations from the sites of wintering and in the period of summer feeding. During the year, I. cataphractus prefers depths of the upper section of the continental slope and the lower part of the shelf with moderate positive temperature. Highest concentrations are observed in the summer season. Females of I. cataphractus reach greater sizes than males; their proportion in catches, on the whole, is higher, but males dominate in medium size groups. Mature individuals are recorded beginning from a length of approximately 15 cm; spawning period is confined to the summer-autumn season. Along the continental coast of the Sea of Japan, I. cataphractus is distributed between 36° and 51° N. The bulk of feeding of I. cataphratus is formed by bottom and near-bottom crustaceans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main features of spatial distribution and thermal regime of habitation of Lycodes nakamurae and L. yamatoi in Russian waters of the Sea of Japan are discussed. Comparative analysis of specific features of distribution of eelpouts of the mesobenthal group ( L. nakamurae, L. yamatoi, L. tanakae) in some areas of the Sea of Japan with different hydrological conditions is provided. No horizontal migrations directed along isobaths were revealed in these species. In Russian waters of the Sea of Japan, L. nakamurae inhabits depths 130-760 m, preferring the range of depths 200-700 m (it was found in catches of 95.7% of trawlings); L. yamatai inhabits depths 140-800 m, but most frequently is found in the range of depths 200-500 m (86.1% of trawlings). L. nakamurae occurs at a temperature of 0.4-1.2°C and L. yamatoi is found at 0.3-1.9°C. Seasonal migrational activity in the former species is more pronounced than in the latter. Spring-summer migration towards the shelf for feeding and reproduction and autumn-winter wintering migration towards the continental slope taking place with the cooling of the shelf are noticeable. Maximum range of vertical migrations is typical of medium-size fish and minimal is typical of juveniles of the studied species that inhabit the upper section of the bathyal (200-400 m). It is suggested that the lower limit of distribution of eelpouts of the mesobenthal group in the southern and northern sectors of the Sea of Japan coincide. The upper boundary of habitation of the species in different seasons of the year is totally determined by the thermal regime of water masses in different areas of the sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of cockscombs, Alectrias markevichi sp. nov., is described from 46 individuals from the sublittoral of Peter the Great Bay and Moneron Island (the Sea of Japan), South Kuril Strait, southern Hokkaido, and northeastern Honshu (the northwestern Pacific). A. markevichi sp. nov. differs from all the known species of the genus in the presence of only three pores in the occipital commissure (no pores near crest base and no medial tubule), only four pores in the preopercular canal, only one shortened spine at the end of dorsal fin, and 11-18 preural vertebrae with wide neural processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of materials collected in 32 expeditions in the northwestern part of the Sea of Japan from 1984 to 2009, seasonal and interannual dynamics of biomass of Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus stock was analyzed. Seasonal variation of spatial and bathymetric distributions of this species is considered. The conclusion of the existence of seasonal migrations of cod along the continental coast is substantiated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of standard trawl survey made at the shores of the Republic of Korea in the Sea of Japan, species composition, ratio of species in catches, and size composition of eelpouts (fam. Zoarcidae) at depths 123-330 m is analyzed. Five species of eelpouts are found in the investigated region: Bothocara hollandi, Lycodes nakamurae, L. sadoensis, L. tanakae, and Petroschmidtia toyamensis. For the first time for the south-western part of the Sea of Japan, quantitative characteristics of distribution, size composition, and bottom temperature of capture are reported for each eelpout species. L. sadoensis is a common species in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovaries of four flatfish species— Liopsetta pinnifasciata, Pleuronectes obscurus, Pleuronectes yokohamae, and Glyptocephalus stelleri, as well as of Far Eastern navaga Eleginus gracilis and rudd Tribolodon brandtii caught in Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan in prespawning and/or spawning periods were studied. Under conditions of anthropogenic pollution of the bay, the state of fish ovaries is determined by several factors, such as migration activity, mode of life (bottom or pelagic), and the degree of sites pollution where females stayed in the period of the vitellogenous growth of oocytes. The pollution of the bay exerts the most damaging effect on the reproductive system of shallow species of flatfish— L. pinnifasciata and P. obscurus—that do not perform far migrations and throughout their life stay in the zone exposed to toxicants. In navaga Eleginus gracilis and flatfish P. yokohamae, and G. stelleri that perform seasonal migrations, no damages of ovaries were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A representative of the family Siganidae, Mottled spinefoot ( Siganus fuscescens), has been found for the first time in Russian waters. It is a Pacific, subtropical-equatorial, and Asian wide-ranging species: from the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and Japan to Papua New Guinea and Australia. In September 2013, it was collected in Far Eastern State Marine Reserve, Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, near Ostrovok Fal'shivyi Cape (42°26′ N, 130°47′ E). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catch of the mottled skate Raja pulchra in waters of Primorye in the spring period was recorded. Until this time, in Russian waters of the Sea of Japan, its habitation only off Western Sakhalin was reliably known. The length of the caught specimen was TL 115 cm, which exceeds the length known from published sources. Possible ways of penetration of the mottled skate along the continental coast from the southern part of the Sea of Japan and from the north from Western Sakhalin are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]