Algal flora of the sandy substrate and faeces of clypeasteroids Scaphechinus mirabilis and Echinarachmus parma in Troitsa Bay Japan Sea are studied. 50 microalgae species, among which was dominated by representatives of Bacillariophyta (42), was registered. More low composition species of diatoms faeces (27 species), compared with a sandy substrate (50), as well as the predominance of their cells with chloroplasts, testifies about selective in clypeasteroids feeding. High similarity of algae flora in S. mirabilis and E. parma faeces (0.97) indicates the similarity in food specialization of these clypeasteroids living in the same ecological niche. Largely confirmed the assumption about essential role of diatoms in feeding clypeasteroid S. mirabilis.

Keywords: Clypeasteroids, feeding, faeces, Bacillariophyta, algal flora, Japan Sea

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