Additional Data on the Fauna of Bivalve Mollusks of the Russian Continental Coast of the Sea of Japan : Middle Primorye and Nakhodka Bay

Abstract

The bivalve molluscan fauna of Vrangel Bay, a small embayment in the eastern part of Peter the Great Bay (Nakhodka Bay), and in several localities along the coast of middle Primorye (Maritime Province, both in north-western part of the Sea of Japan, was studied based on 185 dredge and SCUBA-diving samples (in all, 40 stations). A total of 58 species of bivalves were identified. Eight species are recorded for the first time from the coast of middle Primorye. Comparative analysis ofbathymetric ranges of bivalve mollusks from different parts of the Sea of Japan is carried out, and presence of shells believed to be subfossil and redeposition of Recent shell remains are discussed. Cold-water and relatively cold-water mollusks occur in Vrangel Bay, a protected bay, in shallow waters which can be explained by the influence of the cold Primorskoe Current. The faunal differences between eastern and western parts of Peter the Great Bay are emphasized. Taxonomic and biogeographic comments on some species are given.