The Immune System of Cod (Gadus
morhua L.)
The Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L,
is an economically important marine fish of the family
Gadidae, found on both sides of the North
Atlantic. It is a cold-water fish and generally
remains near the bottom, from inshore regions to deep
waters. It is a voracious migratory fish, feeding
largely on other fishes like capelin and various
invertebrates. Cod fishing is a major factor in the
economy of Iceland. The main spawning grounds are on the
banks off Southwest Iceland where spawning takes place
during the fourth week of March until the first week of
May. From there the post-spawners and larvae follow a
route north along the west coast (Encyclopedia
Britannica).
Wikipedia
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order: Gadiformes
Family:
Gadidae
Genus:
Gadus
Species: G. morhua
The distribution of cod (from
www.nabohome.org/)
Three
relevant review papers:
Immunological
control of fish diseases
The
immune response of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua
L
Innate Immunity of fish
(overview)
This paper was on the list of the 25 most downloaded
articles in Fish & Shellfish Immunology for 12
years, from 2006 - 2018! It has now
collected over 2740 citations!
New paper about cod immune system:
by Stefania D’Alessio, Igor Kraev, Bergljót Magnadóttir and Sigrun Lange
The Beluga Whales Sancuary
The Icelandic Seal Center
(Latest update in
January 2026)
Contact: arnartangi@gmail.com