• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.635-648
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• 1995

Macrobenthic fauna were collected seasonally using the van Veen Grab $(0,1/m^2)$ to investigate the benthic faunal assemblages on the soft-bottoms around the Youngjong Island during October 1991 to July 1992. A total of 266 species was identified. Of these polychaetes comprised 111 species $(41.7\%)$; crustaceans $75(28.2\%)$ molluscs, $59 (22.2\%)$ and others including echinoderms, $27(7.9\%)$. Mean density and biomass were estimated to be 498 $ind./m^2$ and 54.8$g./m^2$, respectively. Polychaetes were the most dominant faunal group in terms of abundance $(332\;ind./m^2)$ and number of species as well, whereas echinoderms were predominant in biomass $(332\;g./m^2)$. The dominant species were Mediomastus sp., Heteromastus sp., Nipponomysella oblongata, and Nephts polyranchia; the abundance of these species showed seasonal variations. The study area was divided into three regions by cluster analysis based on the similarity of species composition. The first region consisted of intertidal flat (G-I); the second, shallow subtital region of muddy sand (G-II); the third, channel region of mud sediments (G-III). The intertidal flat showed the highest density, and the channel was the lowest density, but the Highest in species diversity. Distribution of macrobenthic faunal assemblages of the study area seemed to be controlled by sedimentary facies and duration of tidal exposure.