The Greenland shark (Squaliformes, Somniosus microcephalus) is the largest fish living in Arctic waters, but little is known about its biology. This species lives for at least 272 years and is listed as a near threatened species on the IUCN´s Red list of Threatened Species. As S. microcephalus is the oldest living vertebrate species, it is important to strive for its conservation. The aim of the ...

This study aimed to elucidate cryptic trematode diversity across multiple life stages in aquatic organisms. I collected samples from first intermediate hosts (bivalves), second intermediate hosts (amphipods and insect nymphs), and definitive hosts (fish), and identified them by use of molecular methods. Phylograms based on molecular markers from 28S and COI genes were used to identify nine species ...

Sympatric polymorphisms are found in many freshwater fish taxa, including the salmonid Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus (L.)). Polymorphism is often expressed as differences in morphology, behaviour and life-history strategies, and may be driven by alternative phenotypic adaptations to resource use such as habitat and prey preferences. Morphological divergence is usually linked to different functions ...

With a rapidly changing climate in the arctic there is concern that specialized species, such as caribou (Rangifer tarandus), may not be able to adapt. Currently, the importance of climatic changes for North-American caribou herds is unclear. In an effort to reduce this knowledge gap I have analysed the movement behaviour of caribou in the Qamanirjuaq herd, in the central Canadian Arctic, in relation ...

Colony nesting is thought to be an example of the selfish herd strategy, where aggregating behaviour may be an evolutionary adaptation to reduce the risk of predation. The common eider (Somateria mollissima) is a ground nesting sea bird susceptible to high nest predation rates through the nesting period. They often nest in groups, yet some also choose to nest solitarily. I examined whether group ...

Tundra arthropods have considerable ecological importance as a food source for several bird species that are reproducing in the Arctic. The actual arthropod taxa comprising the chick diet are however rarely known, complicating assessments of ecological interactions. In this study, I identified the nestling diet of Svalbard snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) for the first time. Faecal samples of ...

The post-weaning fast of hooded seal pups (Cystophora cristata) is not well understood. What energy sources are being used? How is water balance maintained? How are these mechanisms balanced with thermoregulation? This study aims to answer some questions on the physiological mechanisms in place to assist an Arctic seal pup in the early stages of their life with no source of food or freshwater. ...

The present study reports the results of investigations conducted during 2006-2007 of the bottom longline fishery in the Southern Adriatic Sea. The study investigated the rigging of the line and the material used. These investigations specifically compared the catch efficiency of the traditionally used J-shaped hook to hooks with innovative design that are commonly used in the Norwegian costal ...

Seasonality affects growing patterns of vegetation and habitat use by herbivores. Short growing seasons make plants grow quickly through phenological stages which alters their nutrient levels and thus habitat use of herbivores that depend on energy assimilation in summer. Selective foraging that increases intake of high-quality forage can be highly advantageous and is usually a trade-off between ...

Pasvikvassdraget ble tidlig på 1990-tallet utsatt for en invasjon av lagesild fra Enaresjøen i Finland. I 2009 ble det gjennomført et eksperiment med utsetting av 1500 ørret i Ruskebukta i øvre del av vassdraget, for å undersøke ørretens egnethet til biokontroll av den invaderende lagesilda. For at biokontroll med fiskespisende ørret skal være vellykket er det viktig å ha god kjennskap til økosystemet ...