(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species cod, Greenland
Species Id M010592
Date 27 AUG 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - cod, Greenland
OTHER COMMON NAMES - Greenland cod, rock cod, ogac, uvac, pilot and Fr. ogac
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Fish
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - ,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - ,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - Gadiformes,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - Gadidae,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Gadus,
SPECIES AND SSP - ogac,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - Gadus ogac
AUTHORITY - Richardson, 1836
TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 258
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
In general, subspecies of Atlantic cod are not acknowledged. Although
Atlantic cod vary greatly in many morphological and meristic characters,
such as growth and vertebral numbers, these differences are, in part at
least, a reflection of environmental conditions.*258*
Considered a subspecies, Gadus morhua ogac, by Svetovidov (1948), an opinion
since abandoned. Validity of Gadus ogac as full species distinct from G.
morhua is well established; among other characteristics G. ogac has a larger
eye, narrower caudal peduncle and dark peritoneum.*258*
In the family of codfish, medium to large-sized bottom fishes, living in
cool seas, except for one freshwater holarctic genus, Lota. Found mainly in
the northern hemisphere. Most species are bottom fishes inhabiting inshore
waters and continental shelves, some to depths of 1300 m.
Cods are generally heavy-bodied, elongate, usually with a stout caudal
peduncle. Head large: mouth large; teeth usually well developed on upper
(premaxillary) and lower jaws and on head of vomer; eye moderate. Gill
rakers usually short and stubby. Branchiostegals 6-8. Fins are well
developed. Scales cycloid, small. Lateral line well developed. Swim
bladder without pneumatic duct (physoclistous). Vertebrae 42-82. Color
generally somber, ranging from tan to brown to silvery. Predaceous fishes
feeding heavily on other fishes and invertebrates.
The cods are of great economic importance and support extensive commercial
fisheries.*258*
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species cod, Greenland
Species Id M010592
Date 27 AUG 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Commercial/consumption
REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 258
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
Of minor commercial importance. From time to time attempts have been made
to establish a market for Greenland cod. In 1979-81 a fishery was operated
from Newfoundland with only limited success. The wholesome flesh is whitish
and flaky but firmer and tougher and less desirable than that of Atlantic
cod. It was noted that those caught in the Miramichi estuary were not
esteemed as food.*258*
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Distribution
Species cod, Greenland
Species Id M010592
Date 27 AUG 96
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
COMMENTS ON SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS -
Predation and competition: Its interaction with other species is not well
documented. It is probably eaten by seals, but in stomach contents is not
usually distinguished from Atlantic cod.*258*
Parasites and disease: The Greenland cod from Atlantic waters is hist to the
sealworm Phocanema decipiens in flesh and the copepod Lernaeocera
branchialis on gills. The cestode Pyramiocephalus phocarum was recorded
from the intestine of Greenland cod from Hudson Bay.*258*
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species cod, Greenland
Species Id M010592
Date 27 AUG 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE
REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 258
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Osteichthyes Not Specified
General Salmoniformes Not Specified
General Gadiformes Not Specified
General Pleuronectiformes Not Specified
General Crustaceans Not Specified
General Malacostraca Not Specified
General Molluscs Not Specified
General Polychaetes Not Specified
REFERENCES FOR GENERAL FOOD - 258
COMMENTS ON FOOD -
Little attention has been given to the food of Greenland cod in Canadian
waters. In Greenland waters it eats mainly fishes, especially capelin,
polar cod, smaller Greenland cod, and Greenland halibut; among the
invertebrates, amphipods, shrimps, crabs, molluscs, and polychate works are
commonly eaten.*258*
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species cod, Greenland
Species Id M010592
Date 27 AUG 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
G Human Association: Specified in Comments
G
REFERENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 258
COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS -
Greenland cod inhabit cold temperate to arctic waters, usually in inshore
regions in the northern part of its range. Along the Labrador coast, it is
the common codfish in harbors and fjords, occurring less commonly in
offshore waters. The occurrence of this species in the Bras d'Or Lake
further emphasizes its tolerance of reduced salinity.*258*
COMMENTS ON BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
It has been suggested that spawning occurs in brackish waters along the
shores of Greenland.*258*
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species cod, Greenland
Species Id M010592
Date 27 AUG 96
LIFE HISTORY
Description: Body heavy, elongate, compressed posteriorly. Head large;
snout blunt; mouth large, terminal but lower jaw slightly overhung by snout;
teeth small, numerous on jaws and vomers; distinct and stout barbel near tip
of lower jaw; eye moderate. Gill rakers 43. Branchiostegals 7. Fins;
dorsals, 3, first of 13-17 rays, second 14-20, third 15-20, all distincly
separate, total dorsal rays 45-53; caudal square to only slightly concave,
total caudal rays 47-51; anals, 2, first of 18-23 rays, second 15-20;
pelvics located in front of pectorals, anterior rays slightly extended and
filamentous; pectorals high on sides, fan-like. Scales small, cycloid.
Lateral line distinct, arched over pectoral fin, complete, not distinctly
colored. Peritoneum uniformly brownish black to black. Vertebrae 53-57.
Size averages about 1.3-3.6 kg. Color variable, generally dark brownish
black above with yellowish to bronze marbling on sides; white to gray below;
unlike Atlantic cod, lateral line not light in color.*258*
Growth: The Greenland cod is considered not to live as long as the Atlantic
cod, and certainly not to grow as large. Little work on its growth in
Canadian waters has been published. In Greenland waters it attains sexual
maturity at 3 or 4 yr, a length of 70 cm, and a maximum age of 11 yr,
although more commonly it attains an age of 8-10 yr.*258*
Reproduction: Spawning is said to occur in February or March. It has been
suggested that spawning occurs in brackish waters. It was said to spawn
along the shores of Greenland. Details on the number of eggs per female are
lacking but probably 1-2 million are produced. The egg is relatively large,
and without an oil globule.*258*
Predation and competition: Its interaction with other species is not well
documented. It is probably eaten by seals, but in stomach contents is not
usually distinguished from Atlantic cod.*258*
Parasites and disease: The Greenland cod from Atlantic waters is hist to the
sealworm Phocanema decipiens in flesh and the copepod Lernaeocera
branchialis on gills. The cestode Pyramiocephalus phocarum was recorded
from the intestine of Greenland cod from Hudson Bay.*258*
LIFE HISTORY CODES -
Breeding/Spawning Season: February
Breeding/Spawning Season: March
Average Number of Offspring/Reproductive Effort: Grea
REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 258
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species cod, Greenland
Species Id M010592
Date 27 AUG 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species cod, Greenland
Species Id M010592
Date 27 AUG 96
References
References - 1