'New' fish species in Florida, North Carolina. What's so special about the Florida bass?
A recent study changed how an iconic fish is classified - and identified a further range than expected for the "new" species including North Carolina.
Until recently, the Florida bass was thought for 200 years to be a subspecies of the largemouth bass found only in Florida. Now, genetic testing has showed that Florida bass are, in fact, a distinct species from largemouth bass. The previous scientific name for largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, is now the name for Florida bass. Largemouth bass are now Micropterus nigricans.
In most areas of Florida, a change in official language will be the main accompaniment to this new discovery. While the discovery will not bring many changes to angling as a sport or the South's fishing industry, there's plenty to learn about Florida's most popular freshwater game fish.
Here's what we know about Florida bass.
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Are there Florida bass in North Carolina?
A report from Nature.com found that the habitat of Florida bass ranged from peninsular Florida in the south to the Apalachicola River in the west to the Cape Fear River in N.C. in the north along the Atlantic Coastal Plain.
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Isn't there already a Florida bass?
The Florida bass was named in 1822 by naturalist Charles Alexandre Lesueur, but it was originally identified as a subspecies of the largemouth bass. It was also thought to be limited to eastern Florida.
As of 2022, researchers at Yale University determined through genetic analysis that Florida bass are a distinct species, and that the species is spread farther than previously expected into Georgia, South Carolina and N.C.
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission published a news release announcing the new species last week.
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What is the difference between Florida bass and largemouth bass? How do you identify Florida bass?
The only real difference between Florida bass and largemouth bass is at a genetic level. The two are indistinguishable visually and will have the same fishing regulations.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission explained that the main difference anglers will experience is the way bass are referred to in Florida. In areas of Florida excluding the western panhandle, what was formerly known as largemouth bass will now be referred to as Florida bass in articles, regulations booklets, signs, etc.
Florida bass and largemouth bass are still accepted into the TrophyCatch program.
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So why does this matter?
In short, the more we understand about wildlife, the better we can protect it. Increased understanding of biodiversity is both interesting and provides a firmer basis for future research and conservation efforts.
"Understanding and conserving fish species is crucial for sustainable recreational fishing and biodiversity preservation. The classification of species plays a key role in these efforts," the FWC said. "Black basses (Micropterus spp.) are well-known freshwater fish and highly popular for recreational fishing. This new understanding of black bass diversity, distribution, and classification provides a critical foundation for better managing and conserving these important and iconic fish. It will aid in ensuring their continued conservation and sustainable use for future generations."
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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: What is the difference between Florida bass and largemouth bass?
