DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF CALYCOPHORES (SIPHONOPHORA, CALYCOPHORAE) IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AND ADRIATIC SEA

The paper presents data on the distribution of calycophores in the ope n Mediterranean waters based on samples collected during the RN ''Atla ntis II'' cruise in May-June 1969, as well as the first data on the di stribution and quantity of nectophores and gonophores in the coastal a nd open Adriatic waters. The following species were numerically import ant in the eastern Mediterranean: Eudoxoides spiralis, Bassia bassensi s, Sulculeoaria chuni, Lensia campanella, and Diphyes dispar. In the w estern part of the study area, however, calycophores were found in low numbers. The presence of the immigrating Atlantic forms, Muggiaea atl antica and Lensia subtiloides, was also registered. Among 22 Adriatic calycophores, numerically important were: Muggiaea kochi, Lensia subti lis, Sphaeronectes gracilis, and S. irregularis. Other species were ra rely found and mainly distributed in the Otranto Strait and the Southe rn Adriatic Pit.