The benthic fauna of the Northern Bering Sea

The shelled benthic fauna of the northern Bering Sea has been extensively sampled and the taxonomy, distribution and functional role of 105 species of mollusks, two species of barnacles, two species of echinoids and one species of brachiopod havet4pen examined: The major benthic communities were evaluated by cluster analysis. They are:

1. the Balanus rostratus alaskensis community which inhabits cobble or gravel substrates;
2. the Tellina lutea alternidentata community which is limited to areas of clean sand;
3. the Clinocardium ciliatum community which is found on silty-sand substrates; and
4. the Macoma balthica community which inhabits the brackish coastal lagoons.

These associations were compared with the classic boreal benthic communities of Peterson & Thorson. Although the Bering Sea fauna is compositionally similar to the Scandinavian, the species associations differ markedly. These differences are believed to be due to substrate differences. The Bering Sea sediments are more poorly sorted and patchily distributed than those of Scandinavian waters.