Distribution of Polychaeta Communities in the West Spitsbergen Area in Winter (December 2015)

Using the materials collected in 2015, modern data have been obtained on the polychaete species composition and quantitative distribution in the West Spitsbergen area in winter. Polychaete species complexes corresponding to different habitat conditions have been identified in the outer and inner parts of the bays. The distribution of the Polychaeta communities proved to be dependent on the bottom sediment composition, depth, and specific hydrological regime.