The Greenland cod (Gadus ogac), commonly known also as ogac, is a species of ray-finned fish in the cod family, Gadidae. Genetic analysis has shown that it may be the same species as the Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus).[1] It is a bottom-dwelling fish and is found on the continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean and northwestern Atlantic Ocean, its range extending from Alaska to West Greenland, then southwards along the Canadian coast to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Cape Breton Island. It is a commercially harvested food fish,[2][3] but landings have been greatly reduced in recent years.
Molecular genetic analyses strongly suggest that Greenland cod is not different from Pacific cod, Gadus macrocephalus - Gadus ogac is then a junior synonymofG. macrocephalus.[1]ITIS and the Catalogue of Life list Gadus ogac as synonym of G. macrocephalus.[4]
In colour the Greenland cod is generally sombre, ranging from tan to brown to silvery. Its appearance is similar to that of other cod species; generally heavy-bodied, elongate, usually with a stout caudal peduncle.[3] They can grow to a length of 77 cm.[2]
Their wholesome flesh is whitish and flaky but firmer and tougher and less desirable than that of the Atlantic cod.[citation needed] The stock of Greenland cod has been strongly reduced in recent years.[3]
^ abCarr, S. M.; Kivlichan, D. S.; Pepin, P.; Crutcher, D. C. (1999). "Molecular systematics of gadid fishes: Implications for the biogeographic origins of Pacific species". Canadian Journal of Zoology. 77: 19–26. doi:10.1139/z98-194.
^ abFroese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2005). "Gadus ogac"inFishBase. October 2005 version.
