The distribution of Gammarus oceanicus, G. setosus and G. wilkitzkii w
as studied over the period 1981-1991 in the coastal zone of the Svalba
rd and Franz Josef Land archipelagos. The occurrence of G. oceanicus i
s connected with the presence of Atlantic waters and favourable ice co
nditions. In the area investigated this species was found on the west
and north coasts of the island Vestspitsbergen only. G. setosus occurs
in most of the investigated localities, being most abundant in the in
ner fjord basins and other sheltered waters. G. wilkitzkii occurs typi
cally in ice-associated plankton, but occurs in the intertidal zone am
ong algae at Franz Josef Land. The maximum densities of gammarids atta
ined 2000 ind/m2 at maximum, the mean being about 300 ind/m2, the typi
cal site being large stones in sheltered bays at low water.