Biology of Oilfishes (Comephoridae) and Their Role in the Formation of Lake Baikal Bioproductivity

Abstract

The biology of two Lake Baikal oilfishes (golomyanka) species (Comephoridae), including their spawn, embryology, anatomy, feeding and vertical migrations, is briefly summarized. The rising of bottom sediments enriched with nutrients to the photic layer of Baikal Lake water during of oilfishes niktimeral migrations was shown. Soft parts of bottom sediments come into photic water layer on the body surfaces, lateral lines, seismo-sensory systems and some internal organs of the fishes and their excrements of seals that consume oilfishes as well. Estimation of the contribution of additional nutrients in the formation of Lake Baikal primary production was done.

Keywords

• oilfishes (golomyanka)
• niktimeral migration
• transport of bottom sediment to surface
• extraction of nutrients by seals
• increasing of phyto- and zooplankton