QUANTITATIVE DISTRIBUTION OF THE MACROZOOBENTOS OF THE OFFSHORE ZONE OF THE AZERBAIJAN SECTOR OF THE SOUTHERN CASPIAN SEA

A list of species composition and seasonal dynamics of macrozoobenthos in the Azerbaijan sector of the South Caspian shelf zone is provided. In 2011 - 2012 152 species of macrozoobenthos belonging to 15 taxonomic groups was found, by the number of species mollusks (50 species) dominated, amphipods were at the second place (44 species). In this zone of the sea for the first time 54 species of macrozoobenthos were found by us. The maximum number of species observed in the spring and summer season (137 - 152 species), the minimum - in the autumn season (123 - 131 species). The average annual biomass of macrozoobenthos varied in the range 155.54 - 176.12 g/m2, the number was 1175 -. 1420 ind/m2. Maximum development of organisms observed in summer (192.46 g/m2), minimum - in autumn (134.78 g/m2). In all seasons shellfish dominated by biomass (69.3 - 72.9 % of the total benthic fauna biomass). The main role in the formation of benthos play 10 macrozoobenthic species, where shellfish dominated by biomass. Their biomass in 2011 amounted to 72.58 % and in 2012 70.91 % of the total biomass of benthos. The second place is occupied by decapods (12.74 % - 13.01 % of the total biomass).