SEASONAL DYNAMICS OF THE BLACK-SEA POPULA TION OF CTENOPHORE MNEMIOPSIS-LEIDYI

The dynamics of abundance and biomass of the Black Sea population of a utointroduced ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi was studied on the shelf an d in the open sea. In winter generative processes in the population we re insignificant. In the late spring intensive reproduction was observ ed in some regions. Maximal abundance was noted during late summer and autumn. Reproduction of the ctenophore often was accompanied by elimi nation of the large individuals. In the open sea abundance increased i n autumn, on the shelf no significant changes of abundance from August to autumn were observed. Possible it may be connected with drift of a nimals in autumn from the shelf areas or intensive reproduction into o pen sea.