...The American Fisheries Society has officially recognized the Florida bass as a separate species from the largemouth bass, following a recent study by Yale University. By analyzing the genetics of 394 fish, researchers found a distinct difference between fish from Florida and coastal Georgia compared to those found elsewhere in the United States.
Map of largemouth bass distribution
A figure from the Yale study showing largemouth bass in blue, hybrids of largemouth and Florida bass in green, and Florida bass in yellow as identified by genetic testing. Courtesy Yale University
The idea that Florida bass are a distinct species isn’t new. In 1949, renowned black bass researchers Carl Hubbs and Reeve Bailey first proposed the distinction based on physical differences such as scale counts on the cheek, lateral line, and tail, as well as coloration patterns along the lateral line. However, these traits hadn’t been enough for the modern scientific community to designate them as separate species. Nearly 75 years later, genetic research confirmed what Hubbs and Bailey initially suspected.
Despite this new classification, Florida bass and largemouth bass remain visually indistinguishable, requiring genetic testing to confirm their identity. There is still a benefit to distinguishing species. Fish are naturally adapted to their environments, and while they may look alike, their genetic differences make them better suited for survival and reproduction in their respective regions....
More info: https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/wp-conten ... aleMap.png
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