New species from family Gasterosteidae in ichthyofauna of the Caspian Sea basin

There is described a new genus and species - Gasterosteus Aculeatus for the Dagestan part of the Middle Caspian from the genus Gasterosteus species Aculeatus, which differs from other kinds of family Gasterosteidae by presence of three needles on the back part of the body and by some ecological features. This species is well enough described in other southern reservoirs. In comparison of external attributes of the three-needle stickle-back of the Caspian and other southern reservoirs no special differences are revealed

MICROALGAE FROM THE COASTAL WATERS OF TYULENY ISLAND IN THE CASPIAN SEA

Aim. In this work, we set out to study the composition of a phytoplankton community in an important fishery area, the coastal water area of Tyuleny Island in the Caspian Sea.Methods. We present the results of seasonal observations (2016) on the state of phytoplankton in the coastal waters of Tyuleny Island in the Caspian Sea. In total, 120 phytoplankton samples were collected at four stations from the water surface layer (May–October) using the Nansen bottle and subsequent fixation by Lugolʹs solution. Sedimentation and concentration were carried out using standard procedures. The samples were processed in the Nageotte chamber with a volume of 0.1 ml under a light microscope.Results. According to the research results (2016), 103 species and varieties of microalgae were found in the phytoplankton samples collected from the water area of Tyuleny Island. The microalgae were represented by four divisions: Bacillariophyta – 49 species, Cyano‐ phyta – 24 species, Chlorophyta – 23 species and Pyrrophyta – 7 species. The greatest species diversity of phytoplankton in the studied water area was noted during the autumn period (61 spe‐ cies). In general, phytoplankton was found to be distributed homogeneously throughout the coastal area of the island, with the biomass concentration not reaching 1 g/m3.Conclusion. In 2016, favorable hydrological and hydrochemical conditions for the development of microalgae were observed. The desalinated water around Tyuleny Island, which is well warmed in the summer and does not freeze in the winter, contributed to the development of rich flora. Although bi‐ omass values were not high due to the prevalence of small‐celled microalgae in phytoplankton, in general, it should have a positive effect on the development of subsequent links in a trophic chain, as well as promote an increase in the productivity of waters of the Northern Caspian Sea

PERSPECTIVE DIRECTIONS OF THE FISHING DEVELOPMENT INTERSKO-CASPIAN FISH INDUSTRIAL SUBREGION

Aim. To work out perspective of stable fishing development in Tersko-Caspian fish industrial subregion.Location. Tersko-Caspian subregion.Methods. Analysis of own and literature materials according to the state of reserves and catches of the main food fish species in the region of investigation.Results. Proposals on the main perspective directions of fish industry and also the improvement of thecnoironment of the water biological resources, permilting to increase effectiveness of their natural reproduction of fish are worked out.Main conclusions. In the perspective the organization of sea fishery of common sprat, herrings, grey mullet and aterines in the Russian part of the Middle Caspiy will promote the creation of stable fishery and fish processing production in the region

MICROSTRUCTURE OF THE MID-INTESTINE OF CERTAIN CARP FISH (CIPRINIDAE) IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE MIDDLE CASPIAN SEA

Aim. The aim of the study was an attempt to expand on the findings about the structure of the anterior part of the mid-intestine of three species of carp fish: Rutelus frisii kutum (Kamenski), Abramis brama orientalis and Ciprinus caprio (Linne) in connection with the feeding habits in the changed conditions of the western coast of the Middle Caspian sea. Studies of the digestive tract can extend the idea of the specifics of the mid-intestine structure due to the feeding of fish in certain environmental conditions of habitat.Methods. Investigations of the digestive tract were carried out, guided by the "Methodological manual" by I.V. Verigina.Findings and discussion. It is shown that in the anatomical and histological structure of the middle intestine was affected by the feeding habits of these types of fish; feeding upon small and soft invertebrates leads to a relatively simple structure of the intestinal wall: mucous layer covers a small part of the total thickness of the wall; there are no collagen structures that perform the function of the mechanical frame and capsules around blood vessels.Conclusion. Simplification of the digestive system emphasizes adaptive capacity appearing in periodic fluctuation of sea water level. The absence of food of a bigger size in the diet of fish results in a relatively simple anatomical and histological structure of the mid-intestine wall. None of the species under study has a differentiated stomach; instead its role is taken by an expanded portion of the fore intestine, similar is the microstructure of the middle part of the intestines of all three species