Genetic Variation in Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) Throughout Its Range

1985 ◽  
Vol 42 (10) ◽  
pp. 1580-1587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarle Mork ◽  
Nils Ryman ◽  
Gunnar Ståhl ◽  
Fred Utter ◽  
Gunnar Sundnes
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Differentiation ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Geographic Distance ◽  
Absolute Amount ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Ecological Barriers ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Baltic Cod

The amount of genetic differentiation between stocks of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) was estimated from electrophoretically detectable protein loci expressed in skeletal muscle and liver. Variant alleles at 13 of these loci were detected among nine samples covering most of the species range: North America, Greenland, Iceland, Barents Sea, Norwegian coastal waters, the North Sea, and the Baltic Sea. A very low amount of genetic differentiation was observed among stocks. Only two loci (LDH-3 and PGI-1) showed large statistically significant heterogeneity of allele frequencies between samples. Standard genetic distances (Nei) between these samples based on 10 variable loci ranged from 0.00015 to 0.01072 with Baltic cod as the genetically most divergent sample. There was a highly significant correlation between genetic and geographic distance for the samples from the Atlantic suggesting that a substantial gene flow has occurred between these stocks with geographic distance being an inhibiting factor. The relatively larger genetic distance between the Baltic cod and other stocks may reflect isolation resulting from geographic and perhaps ecological barriers. However, the absolute amount of genetic differentiation in the Atlantic cod appears to be very low throughout its range.

scholarly journals Deoxygenation impacts on Baltic Sea cod: Dramatic declines in ecosystem services of an iconic keystone predator

AMBIO ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Orio ◽  
Yvette Heimbrand ◽  
Karin Limburg
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Generalized Additive Model ◽  
Additive Model ◽  
Maximum Length ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Hypoxic Zone ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Baltic Cod

AbstractThe intensified expansion of the Baltic Sea’s hypoxic zone has been proposed as one reason for the current poor status of cod (Gadus morhua) in the Baltic Sea, with repercussions throughout the food web and on ecosystem services. We examined the links between increased hypoxic areas and the decline in maximum length of Baltic cod, a demographic proxy for services generation. We analysed the effect of different predictors on maximum length of Baltic cod during 1978–2014 using a generalized additive model. The extent of minimally suitable areas for cod (oxygen concentration ≥ 1 ml l−1) is the most important predictor of decreased cod maximum length. We also show, with simulations, the potential for Baltic cod to increase its maximum length if hypoxic areal extent is reduced to levels comparable to the beginning of the 1990s. We discuss our findings in relation to ecosystem services affected by the decrease of cod maximum length.

scholarly journals Factors affecting rule compliance with mesh size regulations in the Baltic cod trawl fishery

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (8) ◽  
pp. 1603-1606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petri Suuronen ◽  
Vesa Tschernij ◽  
Pekka Jounela ◽  
Daniel Valentinsson ◽  
P-O. Larsson
Keyword(s):  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Mesh Size ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Trawl Fishery ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Gradual Introduction ◽  
Minimum Landing Size ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Baltic Cod

Abstract Suuronen, P., Tschernij, V., Jounela, P., Valentinsson, D., and Larsson, P-O. 2007. Factors affecting rule compiance with mesh size regulations in the Baltic cod trawl fishery. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 1603–1606. In this study, we evaluate the efficiency and applicability of a series of gear-based management measures, enforced since 1990, whose purpose was to improve size selectivity in the trawl fishery for Baltic cod (Gadus morhua). In general, our study revealed that these measures had no marked effect on the capture and discard of young cod. Legal and illegal manipulation of selective codends was widespread. The adoption of a codend design that offered a modest increase in selectivity, but had a good match with the legislated minimum landing size (MLS), led to greater compliance, demonstrating that a mismatch between MLS and selectivity should be avoided. It was also obvious that, generally, the fishing industry did not tolerate large short-term losses. Our evaluation is that overly ambitious rules will be circumvented, and frequent and incoherent changes in the regulations represent bad management practice. A gradual introduction of restrictions and participation by fishers in the decision-making process will increase compliance.

Otolith growth and zone formation during first maturity and spawning of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Irgens ◽  
Arild Folkvord ◽  
Håkon Otterå ◽  
Olav S. Kjesbu
Keyword(s):  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Somatic Growth ◽  
Otolith Growth ◽  
Zone Formation ◽  
Stock Biomass ◽  
Tank Experiment ◽  
The Individual ◽  
First Maturity

Specific impacts of somatic growth, sexual maturation, and spawning events on otolith zone formation in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) were assessed in a 33-month tank experiment, using Barents Sea cod and Norwegian coastal cod. High and low feeding ration combinations were used to mimic environmental stressors in the field. For both stocks, apparent macrostructural “spawning zones” in otoliths are registered in statutory stock monitoring programs to estimate age at maturity, thus adding key information to stock biomass assessments. We found that substantial energy investments in reproduction caused reductions in otolith growth and altered proportional width between translucent and opaque zones. These effects, however, were only statistically significant among individuals with high reproductive investments, while otoliths from individuals with low investments did not differ from the otoliths for immatures. Reproduction may thus not necessarily induce spawning zones, and alternatively, spawning zones may not necessarily reflect reproduction. Altogether, this suggests that the individual energy level, as a premise for metabolic activity, plays a key role in the formation of such zones and thus is related to environmental conditions.

How to validate a length-based model of single-species fish stock dynamics

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (11) ◽  
pp. 2531-2542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasper Kristensen ◽  
Peter Lewy ◽  
Jan E Beyer
Keyword(s):  
Survey Data ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Model Complexity ◽  
Fish Stock ◽  
Statistical Hypotheses ◽  
The Baltic

This paper validates a new length-based model of the dynamics of fish stocks or crustaceans by hierarchically testing statistical hypotheses and thereby investigating model complexity. The approach is based entirely on scientific survey data and on determination of the statistical distributions of the number of fish caught per haul in each length class. In our example, the negative binomial distribution is statistically accepted and linked to the population level through the new length-based model. The model is derived from the characteristics of continuous recruitment, individually based growth, and continuous, length-dependent mortality rates. Continuous recruitment with annually varying recruitment peaks and individually based growth was crucial for obtaining a model that could be statistically accepted. Natural mortality was estimated as well by the model. The model was applied to survey data for Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in the Baltic. Its simple generic nature, as well as the validation procedure, is useful in studying and understanding life history and stock dynamics.

Survey gear calibration independent of spatial fish distribution

2004 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 636-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Lewy ◽  
J Rasmus Nielsen ◽  
Holger Hovgård
Keyword(s):  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Fish Distribution ◽  
Simulation Studies ◽  
Conversion Factors ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Standard Software ◽  
Track Line ◽  
Stock Abundance

Trawl surveys provide important information for evaluation of relative stock abundance fluctuations over time. Therefore, when survey gears or vessels are changed, it is important to compare the efficiency and selectivity of old and new gears and vessels. A method for estimation of conversion factors is developed based on a survey design where paired hauls are taken in the same trawl track line. The method explicitly accounts for changes in fish density caused by trawling disturbance. A generalized linear model for paired hauls catches is analytically derived and the gear conversion and disturbance parameters with their precision are obtained using standard software. Simulation studies carried out additionally showed that the estimated conversion factors were practically unbiased. Because of the independence of the spatial fish distribution, the new method is preferable to the traditional paired hauls design for which it is generally not possible to obtain the statistical properties of the estimated conversion factors. The paper is concluded with suggestions on how to optimize survey design. The method was used to estimate conversion factors for Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) from Danish gear calibration experiments in the Baltic Sea.

Pseudobranchial tumours in Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., from the Barents Sea

1981 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 527-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. C. EGIDIUS ◽  
J. V. JOHANNESSEN ◽  
E. LANGE
Keyword(s):  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
The Barents Sea

Molecular systematics of gadid fishes: implications for the biogeographic origins of Pacific species

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven M Carr ◽  
David S Kivlichan ◽  
Pierre Pepin ◽  
Dorothy C Crutcher
Keyword(s):  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Pacific Basin ◽  
Bering Strait ◽  
Pacific Cod ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Phylogenetic Lineages ◽  
Pacific Species

Phylogenetic relationships among 14 species of gadid fishes were investigated with portions of two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes, a 401 base pair (bp) segment of the cytochrome b gene, and a 495 bp segment of the cytochrome oxidase I gene. The molecular data indicate that the three species of gadids endemic to the Pacific Basin represent simultaneous invasions by separate phylogenetic lineages. The Alaskan or walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) is about as closely related to the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) as is the Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus), which suggests that T. chalcogramma and G. macrocephalus represent separate invasions of the Pacific Basin. The Pacific tomcod (Microgadus proximus) is more closely related to the Barents Sea navaga (Eleginus navaga) than to the congeneric Atlantic tomcod (Microgadus tomcod), which suggests that the Pacific species is derived from the Eleginus lineage and that Eleginus should be synonymized with Microgadus. Molecular divergences between each of the three endemic Pacific species and their respective closest relatives are similar and consistent with contemporaneous speciation events following the reopening of the Bering Strait ca. 3.0-3.5 million years BP. In contrast, the Greenland cod (Gadus ogac) and the Pacific cod have essentially identical mtDNA sequences; differences between them are less than those found within G. morhua. The Greenland cod appears to represent a contemporary northward and eastward range extension of the Pacific cod, and should be synonymized with it as G. macrocephalus.

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