Lingering Taxonomic Challenges Hinder Conservation and Management of Global Bonefishes

Abstract

Despite expanding research on the popular recreational fishery, bonefish taxonomy remains murky. The genus Albula, comprising these iconic circumtropical marine sportfishes, has a complex taxonomic history driven by highly conserved morphology. Presently, 12 putative species are spread among 3 species complexes. The cryptic morphology hinders visual identification, requiring genetic species identification in some cases. Unclear nomenclature can have unintended consequences, including exacerbating taxonomic uncertainty and complicating resolution efforts. Further, ignoring this reality in publications may erode management and conservation efforts. In the Indian and Pacific oceans, ranges and areas of overlap are unclear, precluding certainty about which species support the fishery and hindering conservation efforts. Species overlap, at both broad and localized spatial scales, may mask population declines if one is targeted primarily (as demonstrated in the western Atlantic fishery). Additional work is necessary, especially to increase our understanding of spatiotemporal ecology across life history stages and taxa. If combined with increased capacity to discern between cryptic species, population structure may be ascertained, and fisheries stakeholders will be enabled to make informed decisions. To assist in such efforts, we have constructed new range maps for each species and species complex. For bonefishes, conservation genomic approaches may resolve lingering taxonomic uncertainties, supporting effective conservation and management efforts. These methods apply broadly to taxonomic groups with cryptic diversity, aiding species delimitation and taxonomic revisions.

Genetic diversity and life‐history traits of bonefish Albula spp. from the Red Sea

“…These differences indicate a period of sexual inactivity over the summer months and a protracted spawning season in the fall and winter.4 | DISCUSSION4.1 | Species distributions and population connectivityThis study provides the first genetic identifications of Albula spp. from the northern Indian Ocean, a vital prerequisite to conservation efforts for this group of fishes in a severely understudied region(Pickett et al, 2020). The authors of this study found A. glossodonta in the Red Sea and A. oligolepis in the Gulf of Aden, consistent with morphological records from each respective location(GBIF, 2020;Hidaka et al, 2008).…”

“…The results provide support for the continued, widespread use of Forsskål's original A. glossodonta description (Red Sea, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Forsskål, 1775) and provide evidence against direct suggestions from published literature that an undescribed Albula lineage may occur in the Red Sea (Colborn et al, 2001). The presence of A. glossodonta in the Red Sea is not surprising as the species exhibits a relatively long pelagic larval duration (c. 57 days) and is the most widely distributed species within its genus (Colborn et al, 2001;Friedlander et al, 2008;Pickett et al, 2020;Wallace, 2015 Gaither et al, 2011).The F st analyses in this study, driven by unique haplotypes, reflected high differentiation between basins.…”

“…A comprehensive understanding of Albula biology and ecology has been clouded in part by phylogenetic complexities within the genus (Bowen et al, 2008;Pickett et al, 2020). Due to highly conserved morphology among Albula spp., several cryptic and sympatric species were not recognised until molecular tools were employed in diversity assessments (Colborn et al, 2001;Hidaka et al, 2008;Kwun & Kim, 2011;Pfeiler, 2008;Shaklee & Tamaru, 1981;Wallace & Tringali, 2010).…”

“…Confirmations of species identifications using molecular tools are now a necessary component of biological studies on Albula spp. in many regions, further complicating research on this understudied group of fishes (Pickett et al, 2020). In addition, the vast majority of Albula research has been geographically concentrated in the tropical Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, resulting in a lack of detailed biological information available on Albula stocks from the Indian Ocean (Moxham, 2017;Pickett et al, 2020), particularly in the Red Sea.…”

“…Therefore, A. glossodonta may be associated to the expansive shallow-water sandflat environments found both in the Seychelles and in the Saudi Arabian Red Sea, whereas A. oligolepis may inhabit the rocky coastlines influenced by seasonal upwelling that occur in Socotra and around the Gulf of Aden. To further assess patterns of Albula distribution and sympatry in the Indian Ocean, future studies will need to implement diversified and extensive sampling protocols to genetically identify species from under-sampled regions(Pickett et al, 2020).…”