Aspects of reproductive biology of wild-caught polar cod (Boreogadus saida) from Svalbard waters
Polar Biology ()
2 Akvaplan-niva (tidligere ansatt)
Forfattere (6)
- Jasmine Nahrgang
- Ekaterina Storhaug
- Svetlana A. Murzina
- Olympe Delmas
- Nina N. Nemova
- Jørgen Berge
Description
Published version. Source at http://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-015-1837-2.
Abstract
Polar cod (Boreogadus saida) is considered akey species in the Arctic marine ecosystems. Yet detailedor even basic knowledge regarding its biology and adaptations,especially during the polar night, is in many casespoor. Data are presently unavailable in Western literatureon the gonad development of polar cod and its reproductivebiology in wild specimens. Accordingly, gonad developmentof wild-caught polar cod from fjords of the Svalbardarchipelago was studied across seasons (April, August,September, November and January). Histological analysesof polar cod showed strong indication of a group-synchronousoocyte development with determinate fecundityand iteroparity. Females started gonadal development priorto April and had not yet reached the final stage of maturationin January. Testes matured more rapidly, with malesready to spawn in January. Furthermore, our data show thatpolar cod were able to reach sexual maturity at age 1?.Based on our data and previous reports, we hypothesisethat polar cod is a total spawner.