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Summary for Gadus morhua Larvae
Atlantic cod

Gadus  morhua  Linnaeus, 1758
Family:	Gadidae (Cods and haddocks)
Order:	Gadiformes
Class:	Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
English name:	Atlantic cod
Distribution:	Northwest to Northeast Atlantic: Cape Hatteras to Ungava Bay along the North American coast; east and west coast of Greenland; around Iceland; coasts of Europe from the Bay of Biscay to the Barents Sea, including the region around Bear Island.
Adult biology:	This is an epibenthic-pelagic species (Ref. 58426). It is widely distributed in a variety of habitats, from the shoreline down to the continental shelf. Cod form schools during the day. Cod are omnivorous; they feed at dawn or dusk on invertebrates and fish, including young cod. Cod spawn once a year, in batches (Ref. 51846). The most important stocks are the Norwegian Arctic stock in the Barents Sea and the Icelandic stock. The populations around Greenland and Newfoundland have declined dramatically (Ref. 35388). Results of a 30-yr time-series analysis of a heavily exploited population supports the hypothesis that size-selective fishing induces genetic changes in growth -- small size-at-age continued despite little fishing for over a decade and good conditions for growth (Ref. 81225; 81226). Older and larger cod had been found to produce larger eggs with neutral buoyancy which can be crucial to egg and larval survival (Refs. 31930; 38384). Cod is marketed fresh, dried or salted, smoked and frozen; eaten steamed, fried, broiled, boiled, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988). Over 12 nucleotide substitutions in the 307 base pair region of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene differentiate this species from Gadus ogac (Ref. 40214).
Diagnosis:	Yolk sac absorbed at about 4.5 mm (Ref. 7135). Lancet-shaped base of caudal fin. 1 to 3 ventral caudal melanophores. The ventral row of melanophores generally extends farther back than the dorsal (in contrast to G. virens) (Ref. 37). Pelvic fins thoracic, elongate; no head spines present during larval development (Ref. 68). Young 15.0 to 30.0 mm recognizable by vent under 2nd dorsal fin and dense pigmentation. Pigmentation: pigment patterns usually well-developed at hatching (Ref. 68). At 7.0 to 10.0 mm, pigment bars fuse and a median band forms. At 10.0 to 20.0 mm, pigment extends to the tail. Sequence of fin formation: At 20.0 mm, dorsal and anal fins have full complement of rays. See also LARVAE table.
Climate Zone:	temperate; 0 - 15°C; 80°N - 35°N
Main Ref:	Russell, F.S.. 1976. (Ref. 37)
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Internet sources:	CISTI | Google | GoogleImages | GOBASE | GenBank | PubMed | Scirus | Zoological Record | Check for Self-registered sites Note: use the Back button of your browser to return to LarvalBase.
	Modified: Luna, Susan M.	Entered: Froese, Rainer

	Ref.:				Glossary
		(e.g. 9948)				(e.g. urostyle)

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Page created by Eli 09.11.99, last modified by Eli 04.03.05.