A rapid classification tool for deformities in Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar) embryos

• Published in: Journal of Fish Biology
• Main Authors: Bartlett, Alanah D., Lavery, J. Michelle, Nafziger, Jennifer, Cunjak, Richard A.
• Other Authors: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2022
• Subjects: Atlantic salmon; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15112; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jfb.15112; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1111/jfb.15112

Abstract Deformities in fish embryos are important for their survival in later life stages. However, a consistent way to refer to and classify salmonid embryo deformities does not exist. Expanding on reports of alevin deformities, we developed a classification tool for distinguishing the deformities observed in a collection of preserved Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) embryos. Deformities were classified based on the deformed body part and a qualitative subtype. This classification tool uses external morphology, requires minimal equipment and can be applied from the first appearance of optic vesicles to hatch.