Specific features of morphology and vernal distribution of Pleuromamma scutullata and P. abdominalis (Copepoda, Metridinidae) in water off the Kamchatka Peninsula

Specific features of morphology and vernal distribution of two deep-water copepod species (Pleuromamma scutullata Brodsky 1950 and P. abdominalis (Lubbock 1856) in the eastern Okhotsk Sea and waters off the Kamchatka Peninsula (April 2001, 2002) are considered. The variability of the cephalothorax form in these species is analyzed. P. abdominalis was found to spread farther to the north than it was known earlier. The maximum amount of P. abdominalis specimens was collected over the depths of more than 1000 m. The greatest congestion of P. scutullata was observed in the eastern Okhotsk Sea over the depths of 630-660 m, off the eastern Kamchatka coast, over the depths of deeper than 1000 m.