Modern state of the diversity of Coregonids from Onega Lake and the problems of their species identification

Abstract

The revision was made of all forms of the whitefish Coregonus lavaretus and of the European vendace C. albula that exist in Onega Lake up to the present time. The available data indicate that the entire diversity of coregonid forms has been retained: C. albula is represented by two forms (usually a small form and a large form—kilets); all nine forms were found in C. lavaretus. Various taxonomic approaches for the determination of the systematic status of these forms are discussed.