Taxonomic composition and seasonal dynamics of meroplankton in coastal waters of the northeastern Black Sea shelf

Long-term seasonal studies of the composition and dynamics of numerical density of meroplankton were carried out in the areas of large port and resort cities of the northeastern Black Sea: Novorossiysk, Tuapse, Gelendzhik, and Anapa. Larvae of benthic invertebrates of 73 taxa were identified. Mass spawning of benthic invertebrates occurred from May to September. Bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis and Cardiidae gen sp. larvae were predominant in spring; gastropod Bittium reticulatum and bivalve Mytilaster lineatus larvae prevailed in summer. Bivalve M. galloprovincialis, Anadara cf. inaequivalvis, and Chamelea gallina larvae were predominant in autumn. Polychaete and cirriped larvae occurred in plankton during the spring-autumn season. Novorossiysk Bay and Port Tuapse had a significant proportion of larvae of pollution-tolerant species (A. improvisus, M lineatus, B. reticulatum, and polychaetes of Polydora), thus indirectly indicating the increased anthropogenic load on these areas.