Omul

The omul, Coregonus migratorius, also known as Baikal omul (Russian: байкальский омуль), is a whitefish species of the salmon family endemic to Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia. It is considered a delicacy and is the object of one of the largest commercial fisheries on Lake Baikal. The omul originated from Arctic whitefish that entered Lake Baikal via river systems roughly 20,000 years ago during the last glaciation. Adaptation to local conditions led to several ecological and morphological forms. Three main groups are recognized: the Pelagic omul, coastal omul, and benthic deepwater omul. The pelagic omul inhabits open water, spawns mainly in the Selenga River, and undertakes the longest migrations. The Coastal-pelagic Omul are common in North Baikal, feeding in nearshore waters and ascending to surface layers at night. The Benthic-deepwater Omul are associated with small-river populations and found in deeper slope habitats.