Meiobenthic polychaetes in the northwestern Black Sea

Abstract Polychaetes of the northwestern Black Sea (NWBS) were sampled in January 2005 at 4 sites comprising 32 stations. The 4 sites have different anthropogenic loads, different depths (<10 m, 11-20 m, 21-30 m, >30 m) and different substrates (shelly, silty). The species composition of polychaetes in Black Sea meiobenthic communities has not previously been studied. Twenty polychaete species belonging to 11 families, the Phyllodocidae, Nephtyidae, Polynoidae, Sigalionidae, Nereidae, Syllidae, Hesionidae, Protodrilidae, Spionidae, Capitellidae and Ampharetidae, were recorded. The polychaete density varied with depth and type of substrate from 500 ind. m-2 to 66,000 ind. m-2.