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Trophic niche and diet comparisons among closely sympatric marine species are important to understand complex food webs, particularly in regions most affected by climate change. Using stable isotope analyses, all ontogenetic stages of three sympatric species of Arctic cephalopods (genus Rossia) were studied to assess inter- and intraspecific competition with niche and diet overlap and partitioning in West Greenland and the Barents Sea. Seven traits related to resource and habitat utilization were identified in Rossia: no trait was shared by all three species. High boreal R. megaptera and Arctic endemic R. moelleri shared three traits with each other, while both R. megaptera and R. moelleri shared only two unique traits each with widespread boreal-Arctic R. palpebrosa. Thus all traits formed fully uncrossing pattern with each species having unique strategy of resource and habitat utilization. Predicted climate changes in the Arctic would have an impact on competition among Rossia with one potential 'winner' (R. megaptera in the Barents Sea) but no potential 'losers'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrobenthic faunal associations, hydrography and sediment structure were examined at 14 stations in the Kara Sea. The stations were located in an area influenced by huge runoff from the Ob and Yenisei Rivers and in areas influenced by Barents Sea water. Sampling depths varied from 17 to 43 m, with one station at 195 m. The sediments were predominantly muddy but some stations were sandy. Three hundred and eighty-seven taxa were identified and Polychaeta, Crustacea and Mollusca were the most conspicuous. Species number, abundance and biomass varied widely among stations, and were generally higher in the more marine waters. Boreal-arctic species predominated, but an increase of arctic species from marine to the estuarine areas was evident. Five faunal associations were delineated by cluster analysis and suggested quite heterogeneous sampling areas. The most conspicuous species of each faunal association were Spiochaetopterus typicus, Tridonta borealis, Serripes groenlandicus, Portlandia arctica, and Marenzelleria arctia, respectively. The sedimentation rate, as well as depth, sediment structure and salinity, apparently influenced the main differences in the fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]