A comparative study of pelagic and demersal eggs from common marine fishes in Northern Norway

Abstract

Abstract Morphology and structure, as well as physiology and composition of marine teleost eggs have been studied. Spawning season and developmental rates of the eggs have also been included. Eggs from cod (Gadus morhua), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), long rough dab (Hippoglossoides platessoides), plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), flounder (Platichthys flesus), capelin (Mallotus villosus), herring (Clupea harengus), lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus), father lasher (Myoxocephalus scorpius), and catfish (Anarhichas lupus) were compared. This paper presents new results and a review of the authors' earlier work. Although differences were observed between closely related species, the largest differences were found between pelagic and demersal eggs. Pelagic eggs generally have a thin, homogeneous, lamellated chorion; their yolk is homogeneous, they cleave relatively fast and hatch within 14–26 days (at 50° C). Demersal eggs usually have a thick, more complex chorion which ...