Molecular and morphological analyses of the black basses: Implications for taxonomy and conservation

Taxonomists currently recognize seven species and three subspecies in the genus Micropterus. Based on variation in meristic characters, allozymes, and mtDNA, two subspecies are clearly distinct from one another and warrant elevation to species status. Micropterus salmoides floridanus should now be recognized as the Florida bass M. floridanus, and M. salmoides salmoides as the largemouth bass M. salmoides. Although the Alabama spotted bass M. punctulatus henshalli is morphologically and genetically quite distinct from the northern spotted bass, a thorough taxonomic assessment is still required prior to any revision. The status of a third subspecies, Neosho smallmouth bass M. dolomieu velox, was not investigated. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequence variation indicate that the genus is represented by four lineages: (1) smallmouth bass M. dolomieu and spotted bass M. punctulatus; (2) largemouth bass M. salmoides, Florida bass M. floridanus, Suwannee bass M. notius, and Guadalupe bass M. treculi; (3) shoal bass M. cataractae; and (4) redeye bass M. coosae and Alabama spotted bass. It is likely that through either natural or human-induced changes, hybridization has occurred between the Alabama spotted bass and M. coosae and between M. punctulatus and M. treculi, which may have obscured the true phylogenetic affinities of these taxa. In response to this new information, management agencies need to alter their policy toward stocking non-native species and promoting stock transfers. Specifically, they should terminate Florida bass stocking programs outside of Florida.