Some Aspects of the Ecology, Morphology and Origin of the Poacher Podothecus Hamlini (Agonidae) in the Northern Part of the Sea of Japan

The results of the study of bathymetric and spatial distribution of the green poacher Jordan et Gilbert, 1898 in the Russian waters of the Sea of Japan based on bottom trawl surveys are presented. The locations of its catches outside of the Russian zone are given. Occurring almost in all parts of the shelf and upper part of the continental slope of the northern part of the Sea of Japan, the species formed aggregations throughout the year in the western part of Peter the Great Bay. The bathymetric and temperature ranges in which catches were recorded were quite wide and changed depending on the season. Variability in the number of rays in fins was shown, and cases of teratological changes were noted. A hypothesis is proposed that as an independent species formed relatively recently, during the isolation of the Sea of Japan.