Species Composition and Distribution Patterns of Polychaete Worms (Polycheta) in Teriberka Bay (Barents Sea) and Community Status Monitoring

Abstract— The study focuses on polychaete worms inhabiting Teriberka Bay of the Barents Sea. General and quantitative characteristics of their communities obtained in 2008 and 2011 were provided, their species diversity was assessed in the study area, and two taxonomic groups (deep- and shallow-water) were identified. Variations in polychaete community parameters were estimated based on the data from five monitoring stations obtained in 2008 and 2019. The number of large representatives of this class decreased, while most dominant species remained unchanged. Their quantitative characteristics slightly varied within the macrozoobenthic community of the study area.