Coregonid fi shes in Arctic waters

Abstract

The Arctic ichthyofauna is represented by 460 fi sh species (2.0% of the world fauna), of which 123 (26.7%) are true Arctic species. The macrostructure of the Arctic ichthyofauna differs signifi cantly from the observed ratio of taxa in the world fauna, and the core elements are salmoniforms, scorpaeniforms, and perciforms. Characteristic features of the Arctic fi sh fauna are a small number of monotypic genera, a low proportion of endemic genera and species, as well as polymorphism and euryphagy. Polymorphic species of coregonids are represented by forms that have various feeding regimes and different spawning seasons. Coregonids play a major role in transferring energy through trophic chains. A major constraint on the reproductive strategy of Arctic fi shes is the need for suitable larval and juvenile rearing conditions during the short polar summer. Among the coregonids, mature individuals generally do not spawn annually, but as a rule spawn every one to three years.