Early development of Northeast Arctic greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides)
Original version
This report is not to be cited without prior reference to the authorsAbstract
The early development of the Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) has never
been described in detail. This study contains some preliminary notes on the egg development
of the Northeast Arctic Greenland halibut Buoyancy and morphometric characteristics are
compared with field sampled eggs, in order to identify these to species.
The eggs in the ovary of ripening females were large (about 4 mm), transparent, almost equal
in size and stuck to the walls of the ovary. In ripe, artificially spawned females the ovulated
eggs were all easily released in one batch. This may indicate that Greenland halibut has a
comparatively long period between each egg batch delivered.
Artificially spawned eggs of the Greenland halibut were 3.3-4.2 mm and had neutral
buoyancy in seawater of ca 33 °/oo during the first four days of development. During
gastrulation the egg density increased until closure of blastopore. Eggs from field surveys had
neutral buoyancy in seawater densities near 1.0279 g/cm3. This density is found at depths
around 650 meters (34.9 °/oo S and 1.8° C) in the spawning area.
The eggs hatched after nearly two months incubation. The embryo seems to hatch at an
apparently premature stage.