No differences in egg buoyancy and anti-freeze protein production in genetically divergent subpopulations of Gulf of Maine Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

• Published in: Fisheries research 2013-04, Vol.141, p.130-135
• Main Authors: Clapp, Amanda R., Smith, Todd R., Kovach, Adrienne I., Berlinsky, David L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agnatha. Pisces; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Antifreeze protein; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Cod; Egg buoyancy; Exploitation and management of natural biological resources (hunting, fishing and exploited populations survey, etc.); Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gadus morhua; Marine; Sea water ecosystems; Synecology; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution
• ISSN: 0165-7836; 1872-6763
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fishres.2012.05.005

► Egg buoyancy was determined for spring and winter-spawning Atlantic cod from the Gulf of Maine from fertilization through hatching. ► Antifreeze glycoproteins were induced in juvenile cod from spring and winter-spawning stocks by holding them at 0°C for periods of 20–35 days. ► Antifreeze glycoproteins were induced after 30 and 35 days but not at 20 and 25 days. No differences in egg buoyancy were found between stocks or through development. Locally-adapted subpopulations of Atlantic cod are found in both the northwest and northeast Atlantic and exhibit differences in morphology, behavior and physiological characteristics. We conducted experiments to determine if demonstrable differences were evident in egg buoyancy and antifreeze glycoprotein production between captive populations of genetically divergent winter and spring-spawning cod from the Gulf of Maine. Fertilized eggs (