Combined Research Expedition “Crillon 2023”: First Findings and Preliminary Results

Abstract

In August 2023, the combined expedition “Crillon 2023” was accomplished that exploring the terrestrial, aquatic and marine biotopes in the southeastern part of the Crillon Peninsula (Sakhalin Island, Russia). A group of specialists carried out field work in ichthyology, invertebrate zoology, entomology, botany, lichenology, bryology, mycology, parasitology, microbiology, and marine biology. In the previously underexplored territory of the southeastern part of the peninsula, an appreciable amount of data on species diversity was collected, including more than 200 species of plants, 101 species of lichens, 127 species of mosses, and 117 species of basidial macromycetes. Marine coastal communities of the littoral and sublittoral zones were examined, including those achieved by scientific diving techniques. As many as 119 species of invertebrates and 20 species of seaweed were recorded. Information was collected on 20 species of fish, including data on helminth infection. Parasitological studies included the search for microsporidia in all available animal hosts, as well as search for rhizocephalans: parasites of arthropods. Rare and endangered animal, plant and fungal species were found that are included in the Regional and Federal Red Books as well as those not previously recorded from Sakhalin. The preliminary results indicate great potential for further study of the eastern part of the peninsula from the point of view of biological sciences as well as the prospects for establishment of a biological station in this area for long-term research and development.