Some features of the quantitative distribution of sipunculan worms (Sipuncula) in the central and southern Barents Sea*

The article reports on the current state of the sipunculan fauna of the central and southern parts of the Barents Sea. The main quantitative parameters (biomass and abundance) of the sipunculan populations are obtained, and the contribution of sipunculids to the total benthos biomass is assessed. The major factors causing long-term variations in Sipunculidae distribution and abundance are evaluated for the area in question.The investigations show that the most commonly encountered sipunculan species are Nephasoma diaphanes diaphanes, N. abyssorum abyssorum and Phascolion strombus strombus. The main contribution to the total benthos biomass comes from the two species most typical of the Barents Sea benthic fauna: Golfingia margaritacea margaritacea and G. vulgaris vulgaris. It is possible that the reduction in Golfingia biomass between the 1970s and 1990s, described in the article, is due to changes in the sampling methodology.