The vertebral abnormalities in eelpout Zoarces viviparus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pisces, Zoarcidae)

Abstract

The different vertebral abnormalities in eelpout are described for the first time. Population differences in the malformation frequency for eelpout have been found. The high incidence of vertebral abnormalities have been recorded in eelpout from the Wadden Sea (North Sea) as compared to the samples from the Chupa Inlet (White Sea) and Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea). The degree of malformations in fishes correlates with the levels of various water toxicants in the same areas.