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From Antiquity to the Present: The Evolutionary Journey of Coregonus Fishes Will Amaze You!
Coregonus is a diverse genus of fish in the family Salmonidae, with at least 68 species currently described, but the determination of the actual number is still controversial. The representative species of this genus is Coregonus lavaretus, commonly known as white fish. Most Coregonus species inhabit lakes and rivers, and several species, such as the Arctic loach (C. autumnalis), Bellin's chub (C. laurettae), and little chub (C. sardinella), are migratory fish and will swim in Migrate between saltwater and freshwater. Unfortunately, many whitefish species or ecotypes, especially in the Great Lakes and European Alpine lakes, have become extinct or endangered over the past century.
Of the 12 species of freshwater fish considered extinct in Europe, six belong to Coregonus.
Biotaxonomy
Phylogenetic evidence shows that the most primitive member of the genus is the critically endangered Atlanta whitefish (C. huntsmani), which is only distributed in a river basin in Nova Scotia, Canada. According to scholars, the Atlanta whitefish's divergence from other species dates back to the middle Miocene, about 15 million years ago. This genus was once divided into two subgenus: Coregonus (true white fish) and Leucichthys (loaches). However, this division is not natural, and based on molecular data, Loach actually contains two different phylogenetic lines within the genus.
The scientific name "Coregonus" is derived from the Greek words meaning "daughter" and "angle" due to the angular shape of these fish's pupils, although many other fish share the same feature.
Species diversity
There is much uncertainty and confusion in the classification of species in the genus Coregonus. One extreme view holds that there are only two main species of this genus in Northern and Central Europe: the common whitefish C. lavaretus and Vendace C. albula, while other views divide them into many narrowly distributed species. A 2007 review of species in Europe advocated treating more than 50 endemic populations as unique species and classifying them based on their morphological differences.
The divergence of some species even occurred no more than 15,000 years ago, making them relatively young species.
Species List
As of 2017, FishBase lists a total of 78 species, including more than 50 European species proposed in 2007. Some species are extinct, such as the cross-marked C. reighardi, which is also considered endangered.
List of some Coregonus species:
- Coregonus acrinasus
- Coregonus albellus
- Coregonus albula (Vendace)
- Coregonus autumnalis (Arctic Loach)
- Coregonus lavaretus (common white fish)
- Coregonus migratorius (Omul)
- Coregonus mucculatus (Muksun)
- Coregonus sardinella (Sardine cisco)
Ecology and Protection
All Coregonus species are listed in Appendix III of the Berne Convention and Appendix IV of the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) for protection. Species in this genus have suffered from habitat destruction and environmental changes over the past few decades, resulting in dramatic population declines for many species. The Coregonus artedi complex inhabiting the Great Lakes region of North America also shows a similar pattern. There are multiple commensal forms and ecotypes, and their taxonomic status is still controversial.
The evolution of Coregonus fish not only shows the adaptability of life, but also reminds us of the importance of protecting these unique species. In the face of ecosystem changes, can we find effective ways to protect Coregonus and its habitat in the future?
