Vertical distribution of bivalves fauna in the northwestern Tatar Strait (Japan Sea)

General patterns of bivalves distribution by depth in the northwestern Tatar Strait (within Khabarovsk region) are analyzed on the data of 384 trawl, 573 drag, and 1177 diving stations during research surveys in 2003–2016 where the samples were collected with commonly accepted methods. Depths from 0 to 600 m were surveyed. Besides, scientific publications and archival materials related to this area were taken into account. The species richness (y) decreases with depth (x) exponentially from 51 species at 1–20 m to 3 species at 400–600 m that could be approximated satisfactory by the equation y = 31.799. e –0.0502x (r 2 = 0.89). Sublittoral and bathial faunas can be separated by cluster analysis of special composition in the depth range 0–150 m and 150–600 m, respectively, with similarity of 0.11 between them. Within these boundaries, 5 local faunas are distinguished: I ( 400 m. On the other hand, portion of banal species increases and portion of specific species decreases with depth, also portion of rare species increases and portion of mass species decreases with depth, with the slope coefficients α = 9.10 ± 0.49 (p = 0.0003) and α = –4.5 ± 2.5 (p = 0.01), respectively. Vertical distribution of frequent species is rather uniform: 33–57 %. These patterns of the species distribution by zones almost do not change spatially: distribution of different biogeographic groups of species in three coastal areas (47–49 о N, 49–51 о N, and > 51 о N) has no statistically significant differences. Distribution of species richness and composition by depth ranges relates to ecotopic variation (74 % of diversity), to the degree of exploration (22 %), and to the influence of such complex factor as a depth (4 %). Further faunistic studies are recommended in the most diverse areas, as bays, harbours, and capes vicinities with variable grounds and submarine vegetation, in all available depth ranges. Such surveys can provide faunistically representative information on the species wealth. The list of Bivalve mollusk species for the northwestern Tatar Strait can be enlarged possibly in 1/5 if detailed studies of their fauna will be conducted. The fauna on great depths is the most underexplored. The total expected number of bivalve species in this area is at least 120.