The Demersal Fishes of Asan Bay -III. Spatial Variation In Abundance and Species Composition-

Spatial and seasonal variations of community structure of demersal fishes in Asan Bay were studied using seasonal samples collected by an otter trawl from autumn 1991 to summer 1992. For each sampling station, three trawl hauls were completed to obtain a reliable sample. Of 34 species identified, Cynoglossus joyneri, Johnius belengeri, Zoraces gillii and Thrissa koreana accounted for of the individuals collected. The former three dominant species were more abundant on the finer sediment of the inner bay than on the sandy bottom of the outer bay. Spatial variation of community structure of demersal fishes was analysed by principal component analysis using rank correlation. The community structure did not show a spatial difference, but a clear seasonal trend. This distribution pattern seems to be related significantly to the seasonal temperature fluctuation and to the active mixing of the water by strong tidal current of the bay.