Relation of growth and condition with the Pan I locus in Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua L.) around Iceland.

Growth and condition (both somatic and hepatosomatic index) of Atlantic cod spawning at different locations around Iceland was studied in relation to the Pan I locus. South of Iceland cod carrying the Pan I^AB and Pan I^BB genotypes were more frequent while cod carrying the Pan I^AA genotype was more frequent north of Iceland. Differences in growth were detected between cod spawning at different areas around Iceland. Cod spawning south of Iceland grew faster than cod spawning north of Iceland. Differences in growth rate were also observed among cod carrying different Pan I genotypes within a spawning area. The least frequent Pan I genotype expressed the highest growth in both south and north of Iceland. Cod carrying the Pan I^AA grew fastest at spawning locations south of Iceland, while cod carrying the Pan I^BB genotype grew fastest in north of Iceland. A consistent relationship between condition and the different Pan I genotypes was also observed in all the areas. Cod carrying the Pan I^AA expressed the highest somatic condition and the lowest hepatosomatic index. Together, these results indicate that the relation of growth and condition with the Pan I locus is more complicated than earlier thought and is likely to be influenced by other factors, like size-selective fishing and food supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]