Biocenosis of Terebellides stroеmii was developed at depths of more than 40 m on silty grounds. 27 animal species were found in its composition. The mean zoobenthos abundance is 85±12 specimens/ m2, the mean biomass is 6.1±1.0 g/m2. The highest values of zoobenthos abundance occurred at depths from 75 to 85 m. Maximal zoobenthos biomass was observed in the shallow part of the biocenosis. Silts were the most suitable ground types. Detritophages prevailed in the trophic structure. As a result of strong anthropogenic silting of the Black Sea area before the Kerch Strait, the area occupied by the
T. stroеmii biocenosis increased almost in 6 times from 1986 to 1990 – from 2,600 km2 to 15,300 km2. Silting of the Modiolula phaseolina biocenosis and the deepwater part of the Mytilus galloprovincialis biocenosis occurred, with the T. stroemii biocenosis replacing them. Besides, drastic reduction of spe- cies diversity, abundance and biomass of the initial biosenoses was marked. In the trophic structure the leading role passed over from sestonophages to detritophages. The role of carnivorous species increased significantly.