Differentiation between "marinus" and "mentella" types of redfish by electrophoresis of haemoglobins

Abstract

Haemoglobins of 225 specimens of redfish from the Barents Sea and 357 specimens from Icelandic waters were analysed by electrophoresis to search for genetic differences between the morphologian marinus and mentella types. Two main haemoglobin patterns were commonly found, one characteristic for redfish of the mentella type and one characteristic for the marinus type. Specimens of Sebastes viviparus showed the marinus haemoglobin pattern. Morphological "intermediates" showed the marinus pattern in the Barents Sea while some specimens, which showed the mentella hemoglobin patterns, but could not be separated morphologically from the marinus type, were recorded in the Icelandic-Faeroe Ridge area. Four specimens showed a haemoglobin pattern which indicated hybridization between individuals with different haemoglobin pattern. The results indicate that Sebastes mentella Travin is a species distinct form Sebastes marinus (L), possibly with occasional interbreeding. However, for final conclusion about the species of redfish in the North Atlantic samples have to be collected from the total range of the redfish's distribution.