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The whiting fish, *Merlangius merlangus*, belongs to the phylum Mollusca.
Answer: False
Explanation: *Merlangius merlangus* belongs to the phylum Chordata, not Mollusca.
The genus *Merlangius* was established by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.
Answer: False
Explanation: The genus *Merlangius* was established by François Alexandre Pierre de Garsault in 1764, not by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, who established the binomial species name.
Carl Linnaeus is credited with establishing the binomial name *Merlangius merlangus* in 1758.
Answer: True
Explanation: Carl Linnaeus is credited with establishing the binomial nomenclature for *Merlangius merlangus* in his 1758 publication of Systema Naturae, 10th Edition.
*Merlangus vulgaris* is listed as a historical scientific name (synonym) for *Merlangius merlangus*.
Answer: True
Explanation: The scientific name *Merlangus vulgaris*, proposed by John Fleming in 1828, is recognized as a synonym for *Merlangius merlangus*.
*Merlangius merlangus* belongs to the kingdom Fungi.
Answer: False
Explanation: *Merlangius merlangus* is classified within the kingdom Animalia, not Fungi.
The order Gadiformes includes species like *Merlangius merlangus*.
Answer: True
Explanation: The order Gadiformes is the correct taxonomic classification for the species *Merlangius merlangus*.
The family Gadidae includes species such as *Merlangius merlangus*.
Answer: True
Explanation: The family Gadidae is the correct taxonomic classification for the species *Merlangius merlangus*.
The synonym *Merlangus linnei* was proposed by Carl Linnaeus.
Answer: False
Explanation: The synonym *Merlangus linnei* was proposed by Malm in 1877, not by Carl Linnaeus.
What is the scientific classification of the whiting fish?
Answer: Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Actinopterygii, Order: Gadiformes, Family: Gadidae
Explanation: The scientific classification of *Merlangius merlangus* is: Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Actinopterygii, Order: Gadiformes, Family: Gadidae.
Who established the genus *Merlangius*, and in what year?
Answer: François Alexandre Pierre de Garsault, 1764
Explanation: The genus *Merlangius* was established by François Alexandre Pierre de Garsault in the year 1764.
Which of the following is listed as a synonym for *Merlangius merlangus*?
Answer: *Odontogadus merlangus*
Explanation: The scientific name *Odontogadus merlangus* is listed as a synonym for *Merlangius merlangus*.
To which class does *Merlangius merlangus* belong?
Answer: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Explanation: *Merlangius merlangus* is classified within the class Actinopterygii, which comprises the ray-finned fishes.
The synonym *Gadus euxinus* was proposed by which scientist?
Answer: Alexander von Nordmann
Explanation: The synonym *Gadus euxinus* was proposed by Alexander von Nordmann.
What is the scientific order for the whiting species *Merlangius merlangus*?
Answer: Gadiformes
Explanation: The scientific order for the whiting species *Merlangius merlangus* is Gadiformes.
Who established the genus *Merlangius*?
Answer: François Alexandre Pierre de Garsault
Explanation: The genus *Merlangius* was established by François Alexandre Pierre de Garsault.
Which synonym for *Merlangius merlangus* was proposed by John Fleming?
Answer: *Merlangus vulgaris*
Explanation: The synonym *Merlangus vulgaris* was proposed for *Merlangius merlangus* by John Fleming.
The species *Merlangius merlangus* is found in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.
Answer: False
Explanation: The distribution of *Merlangius merlangus* is primarily in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas, not extending to the western Pacific Ocean.
Whiting are native to the southeastern Atlantic Ocean, ranging north to the Arctic Circle.
Answer: False
Explanation: The native range is the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, extending from the southeastern Barents Sea and Iceland, not the southeastern Atlantic or north to the Arctic Circle.
Besides the Atlantic, whiting can be found in the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the North Sea.
Answer: True
Explanation: In addition to the Atlantic Ocean, *Merlangius merlangus* inhabits the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, the North Sea, and other adjacent marine environments.
Whiting are typically found inhabiting rocky seabeds.
Answer: False
Explanation: *Merlangius merlangus* typically inhabits sandy, muddy, or gravelly seabeds, not rocky ones.
The typical depth range for whiting habitats is down to approximately 100 meters.
Answer: True
Explanation: The typical habitat depth for *Merlangius merlangus* extends down to approximately 100 meters.
In which geographical areas is *Merlangius merlangus* considered an important food fish?
Answer: Eastern North Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic Sea, and Black Sea
Explanation: *Merlangius merlangus* is an important food fish found in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean, the northern Mediterranean Sea, the western Baltic Sea, and the Black Sea.
What types of seabeds do whiting typically inhabit?
Answer: Sand, mud, and gravel seabeds
Explanation: *Merlangius merlangus* typically inhabits seabeds composed of sand, mud, and gravel.
The native range of whiting in the Atlantic Ocean extends from the southeastern Barents Sea and Iceland down to which region?
Answer: Scandinavia and Portugal
Explanation: The native range of whiting in the Atlantic Ocean extends from the southeastern Barents Sea and Iceland down to Scandinavia and Portugal.
What is the typical maximum depth range for whiting habitats?
Answer: Up to 100 meters
Explanation: The typical maximum depth range for whiting habitats is approximately 100 meters.
*Merlangius merlangus* has three dorsal fins and two anal fins, containing a combined total of approximately 60-75 soft rays.
Answer: True
Explanation: The species possesses three dorsal fins (30-40 rays) and two anal fins (30-35 rays), totaling approximately 60-75 soft rays.
The body of *Merlangius merlangus* is described as stout, and it has a large head.
Answer: False
Explanation: The body of *Merlangius merlangus* is described as long, and it possesses a small head, contrary to the description of stoutness and a large head.
A chin barbel, if present on *Merlangius merlangus*, is typically quite prominent.
Answer: False
Explanation: If a chin barbel is present on *Merlangius merlangus*, it is characterized as being very small, not prominent.
The maximum recorded length for *Merlangius merlangus* is approximately 70 centimeters or 27.5 inches.
Answer: True
Explanation: The maximum recorded length for *Merlangius merlangus* is indeed approximately 70 centimeters (27.5 inches).
The typical coloration of *Merlangius merlangus* includes a dark blue or greenish back, yellowish-grey flanks, and a white belly.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the back can be dark blue or greenish and flanks yellowish-grey, the belly of *Merlangius merlangus* is typically described as silvery, not white.
A distinctive black blotch is present near the base of each pelvic fin on *Merlangius merlangus*.
Answer: False
Explanation: The distinctive black blotch is located near the base of the pectoral fins, not the pelvic fins.
How many dorsal fins does *Merlangius merlangus* possess?
Answer: Three
Explanation: *Merlangius merlangus* possesses three dorsal fins.
What is the maximum recorded length for *Merlangius merlangus*?
Answer: Approximately 70 centimeters
Explanation: The maximum recorded length for *Merlangius merlangus* is approximately 70 centimeters.
What distinctive marking is found on the pectoral fins of *Merlangius merlangus*?
Answer: A black blotch near the base
Explanation: A distinctive black blotch is present near the base of each pectoral fin of *Merlangius merlangus*.
What is notable about the chin barbel of *Merlangius merlangus*?
Answer: It is very small if present.
Explanation: The chin barbel of *Merlangius merlangus*, if present, is notably very small.
Which part of the *Merlangius merlangus* is typically silvery?
Answer: The belly
Explanation: The belly of *Merlangius merlangus* is typically silvery in coloration.
How is the body of *Merlangius merlangus* described in the source?
Answer: Long and compressed
Explanation: The source material describes the body of *Merlangius merlangus* as 'long'. Option C, 'Long and compressed', is the closest match, incorporating the 'long' descriptor, although 'compressed' is not explicitly detailed in the provided text.
Where is the distinctive black blotch found on the pectoral fins of *Merlangius merlangus*?
Answer: Near the base of each fin
Explanation: The distinctive black blotch on the pectoral fins of *Merlangius merlangus* is located near the base of each fin.
According to the IUCN Red List (version 3.1), *Merlangius merlangus* is classified as Endangered.
Answer: False
Explanation: The IUCN Red List (version 3.1) classifies *Merlangius merlangus* as 'Least Concern', not 'Endangered'.
In 2014, whiting in the Baltic Sea were classified as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 2014, whiting populations specifically within the Baltic Sea were classified as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List, not 'Least Concern'.
Whiting and other related species within the Gadidae family are known to be significantly affected by parasites.
Answer: True
Explanation: Species within the Gadidae family, including whiting, are indeed known to be significantly affected by parasitic organisms.
The cod worm, *Lernaeocera branchialis*, is a type of fish that parasitizes whiting.
Answer: False
Explanation: The cod worm (*Lernaeocera branchialis*) is a copepod crustacean, not a type of fish, that parasitizes whiting and other Gadidae species.
What is the conservation status of *Merlangius merlangus* according to the IUCN Red List (version 3.1)?
Answer: Least Concern
Explanation: According to the IUCN Red List (version 3.1), the conservation status of *Merlangius merlangus* is 'Least Concern'.
What is an example of a parasite that affects whiting and other Gadidae species?
Answer: Cod worm (*Lernaeocera branchialis*)
Explanation: The cod worm, scientifically identified as *Lernaeocera branchialis*, is an example of a parasite that affects whiting and other species within the Gadidae family.
What was the specific conservation status of whiting in the Baltic Sea in 2014?
Answer: Vulnerable
Explanation: In the year 2014, whiting populations within the Baltic Sea were classified as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List.
The cod worm (*Lernaeocera branchialis*) is an example of what type of organism?
Answer: A copepod crustacean
Explanation: The cod worm (*Lernaeocera branchialis*) is classified as a copepod crustacean.
Historically, whiting was considered a high-value fish, often sought after by gourmets.
Answer: False
Explanation: Historically, prior to the late 20th century, whiting was considered a low-value, cheap fish, not typically sought after by gourmets.
The value of whiting as a food fish has decreased due to the abundance of other fish stocks.
Answer: False
Explanation: The value of whiting as a food fish has actually increased in recent times due to a general decline in other fish stocks, making it more highly valued.
How was whiting historically perceived in terms of its value as food?
Answer: As a cheap fish, often for the poor or pets
Explanation: Historically, prior to the late 20th century, whiting was perceived as a cheap fish, frequently consumed by the poor or used for animal feed.
Why has the value of whiting as a food fish increased in recent times?
Answer: General decline in other fish stocks
Explanation: The value of whiting as a food fish has risen due to the general decline observed in the stocks of other commercially important fish species.
Additional media related to *Merlangius merlangus* can be found on Wikimedia Commons.
Answer: True
Explanation: Resources such as Wikimedia Commons provide additional media content pertaining to *Merlangius merlangus*.
The FishBase ID number for *Merlangius merlangus* is 126438.
Answer: False
Explanation: The FishBase ID number for *Merlangius merlangus* is 29. The number 126438 corresponds to its Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) identifier.