Scientists from the Institute of Oceanology (IO RAS), the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS (IPEE RAS), and Dagestan University have identified a number of developmental abnormalities in some Arctic fish. They have described for the first time cases of albinism, disturbances in the coloration of the sighted side of the body, reversals of sides, and spinal curvature in individuals of the Bering Sea flatfish Hippoglossoides robustus, as well as an individual of the saika Boreogadus saida with a spinal deformity from the western part of the Chukchi Sea.
Experts suggest that the most likely cause of these abnormalities is global warming. The researchers' study is reported on the IPEE RAS website.
"Abnormalities in fish (their nature and frequency) can serve as an indicator of the state of the habitat. The abnormalities found in Arctic fish may be caused by the effects of pollution, parasites, mechanical damage, or a sharp change in living conditions for individuals in early ontogeny. An analysis of these causes has shown that the most likely of them are climate changes (warming and reduction of ice cover) in the Arctic in recent years," the report says.
As experts note, in general, abnormalities in fish living in high-latitude waters are less studied compared to other parts of the world's oceans. This is due to the harsh climatic conditions of the Arctic seas, which for a long time have hindered regular scientific research in this region.
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