title: Haemoglobin genotypes in cod (Gadus morhua L): their geographic distribution and physiological significance.
abstract: Haemoglobin polymorphism in cod (Gadus morhua L) has been investigated throughout the last 50years. Field studies have shed light on the geographic distribution of the two common alleles (HbI(1) and HbI(2)), and laboratory studies have shown effects of genotype on physiological traits such as growth, reproduction and hypoxia tolerance. The geographic distribution of alleles shows a correlation with temperature, with increasing frequency of HbI(1) in warmer areas. This is likely due to temperature-related differences in oxygen affinity of the three genotypes. We provide a general ecological introduction to cod haemoglobin polymorphism and a detailed discussion of physiological studies, particularly laboratory growth studies. Although differences in oxygen uptake are almost certainly a contributory mechanism to observed differences in traits such as growth rate, many other environmental, behavioural and social factors may also contribute, making it difficult to quantify the effect of HbI either experimentally or in the field.
authors.affiliation: Technical University of Denmark, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Charlottenlund Castle, 2920 Charlottenlund, Denmark. sdro@aqua.dtu.dk
authors.forename: Stine D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Jane W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Behrens
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brander
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Methling
authors.forename: Jarle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mork
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D048389:Gadus morhua / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D005843:Geography; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000235:genetics*; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology; D009664:Norway; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D010100:Oxygen
keywords: Cod; Distribution; Gadus morhua; Growth; Haemoglobin; Physiology