The Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis), also known as Arctic omul (Russian: Омуль), is an anadromous species of freshwater whitefish that inhabits the Arctic parts of Siberia especially Yenisey Gulf. It can also be found in Alaska and Canada. It has a close freshwater relative in several lakes of Ireland, known as the pollan, alternatively regarded as conspecific with it, or as a distinct species.[2][3]
| Arctic cisco | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Salmoniformes |
| Family: | Salmonidae |
| Genus: | Coregonus |
| Species: | C. autumnalis
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| Binomial name | |
| Coregonus autumnalis (Pallas, 1776)
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Taxonomy
editThe freshwater omul of the Lake Baikal, formerly considered a subspecies Coregonus autumnalis migratorius of the Arctic cisco, has no close genetic relationship to it and is now classified as a separate species, Coregonus migratorius.[4][5]
Description
editThe Arctic cisco has a relatively small head with a non-prominent snout. It has a metallic silver body, a brown or dark green back, and nearly colorless fins. It has neither spots nor teeth on its jaw. It does not have a patch of teeth on its tongue. It can reach 50 cm (20 in) in length and weight up to 2 kg (4.4 lbs) but is usually less than 40 cm (16 in) in length and 1 kg (2.2 lbs) in weight.[6][7]
Distribution and habitat
editThe Arctic cisco can be found in the Beaufort Sea, Colville River delta, and freshwater drainages east of the Sagavanirktok River. It can be found in several drainages in the Northwest Territories and Siberia, such as the Chaun River, and is not often found east of Point Barrow.
Food chain
editDiet
editThe Arctic cisco preys upon plankton, crustaceans and small fishes.[6]
Predators
editPredators of the Arctic cisco include marine mammals, seabirds and large fishes such as the Dolly Varden trout and burbot.[6]
Behaviors
editReproduction
editThe Arctic cisco is able to spawn at 8 or 9 years of age. Females may only be able to spawn two or three times in their life, and do not necessarily produce eggs every year.
The Arctic cisco reproduces in September. It does not reproduce in Alaskan waters but does reproduce in the Mackenzie River.
Females have up to 90,000 eggs.[6]
Migration
editYoung Arctic cisco migrate along the Beaufort Sea coast and are then aided by winds to the Colville River delta, where they are over 160 km (100 mi) from where they spawned. They return to the Mackenzie River to spawn.[6] They do not feed while migrating upwards.[7]
Life history
editArctic cisco can live to be 13 years old or more.[6]
Conservation
editLittle is known of the abundance of Arctic cisco in Alaska.[6]
Threats
editThe largest threats to the Arctic cisco appear to be climate change and oil and gas development.[6]
References
edit- ^ Freyhof, J.; Kottelat, M. (2008). "Coregonus autumnalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T5363A11123479. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T5363A11123479.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Coregonus autumnalis". FishBase. April 2010 version.
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Coregonus pollan". FishBase. April 2010 version.
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Coregonus migratorius". FishBase. April 2010 version.
- ^ Freyhof, J.; Kottelat, M. (2008). "Coregonus autumnalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T5363A11123479. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T5363A11123479.en.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Arctic Cisco Species Profile, Alaska Department of Fish and Game". Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 2018-11-23.
- ^ a b "Marine Species Identification Portal: Arctic cisco - Coregonus autumnalis". species-identification.org. Retrieved 2018-11-23.