Biodiversity Data Journal :
Research Article
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Corresponding author: Prosanta Chakrabarty (prosanta@lsu.edu)
Academic editor: Felipe Ottoni
Received: 28 Sep 2023 | Accepted: 23 Feb 2024 | Published: 08 Mar 2024
© 2024 Prosanta Chakrabarty, Alec Sheehy, Xavier Clute, Shannon Cruz, Brandon Ballengée
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Chakrabarty P, Sheehy AJ, Clute X, Cruz SB, Ballengée B (2024) Ten years later: An update on the status of collections of endemic Gulf of Mexico fishes put at risk by the 2010 Oil Spill. Biodiversity Data Journal 12: e113399. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.12.e113399
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The 2010 Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon was the largest oil spill in human history that occurred during a 12-week period in a region less than 100 km from the coast of Louisiana; however, after more than a decade of post-spill research, few definitives can be said to be known about the long-term impacts on the development and distribution of fishes in and around the region of the disaster. Here, we examine endemic Gulf of Mexico fish species that may have been most impacted by noting their past distributions in the region of the spill and examining data of known collecting events and observations over the last twenty years (ten years prior to the spill, ten years post-spill). Five years post-spill, it was reported that 48 of the Gulf’s endemic fish species had not been collected and, with expanded methods, we now report that 29 (of the 78 endemic species) have not been reported in collections since 2010 (five of these are only known from observations post-spill). Although the good news that some previously ‘missing’ species have been found may be cause to celebrate, the lack of information for many species remains a cause for concern given focused sampling efforts post-spill.
conservation, Deepwater Horizon, ichthyofauna, Macando
The 2010 Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (DWH), MC 252 or Macondo blowout, was the largest accidental oil spill in history (
Coupled with the fact that it occurred in the deep sea (> 1000 m depth) and with the coordinated release of more than a million gallons of dispersant, which has been suggested to have made the DWH oil as much as 52% more toxic, more difficult to clean up and increased its impact to wildlife (
More than a decade after the end of the spill, the long-term effects of DWH are still not fully understood. Recent research has suggested that there have been some persistent ecological effects including damage to deep ocean coral communities, harm to oyster fisheries, loss of marshlands and population declines of marine mammals, sea turtles and seabirds (
Some fish species appear to have been particularly at risk and impacted by the 2010 Oil Spill with evidence of physical and developmental abnormalities reported and evidence of extirpations (
The Gulf of Mexico is one of the most biologically rich and resilient marine environments in the world with 1541 fish species known from the region, 78 of which are reported to be endemic to the Gulf (i.e. found only in the Gulf;
In this current study, we re-examine museum records (2000-2020) of the 78 endemic species (adding the recently described American Pocket shark, Mollisquama mississippiensis, as a Gulf endemic) using data from The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF: https://www.gbif.org/), FishNet2 (http://www.fishnet2.net/) and recent literature.
The documented occurrences of 78 species endemic to the Gulf of Mexico were tallied using two databases: The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and FishNet2. To complement data about voucher material, an extensive review of the literature on individual species was also performed to account for observations not involving collections. The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species (abbreviated “IUCN Red List” throughout) status was also reviewed and reported here when available (https://www.iucnredlist.org/).
GBIF recently changed their data algorithm to include observed species in addition to vouchered specimens. To accurately measure the change in species populations, the data from the total identified specimens (vouchered and observed in nature) from GBIF were graphed separately and compared to the total vouchered specimens from FishNet2 from 2000 to 2020. Only species found in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Region were accounted for in the data, unless otherwise noted. We last gathered data from these websites on 20 April 2023.
A scatterplot graph was created in Microsoft Excel by plotting the Number of Occurrence(s) on the y-axis and the Number of Years on the x-axis. Collections data from GBIF are denoted as “GBIF Preserved” (orange circles) when a voucher specimen was collected, human observation data from GBIF are denoted as “GBIF Observed” (blue triangles) and collections data from FishNet2 are denoted by “FishNet2 Preserved” (grey diamonds) to indicate the type(s) of data that each database reported. No graph is included if species were not sampled between 2000-2020 (10 years before and 10 years after DWH).
Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes (https://www.calacademy.org/scientists/projects/eschmeyers-catalog-of-fishes) was used to obtain current valid taxonomic names including the authority (authors of original description) and the family name (
Species are presented using the taxonomy of
AGNATHA: MYXINIFORMES (Hagfishes)
Eptatretus minor Fernholm and Hubbs, 1981 in
Eptatretus springeri (Bigelow and Schroeder, 1952) in
Fig.
CHONDRICHTHYES (Elasmobranchs, cartilaginous fishes)
CARCHARHINIFORMES
Mustelus sinusmexicanus Heemstra, 1997 in
Parmaturus campechiensis Springer, 1979 in
RAJIFORMES
Dipturus olseni (Bigelow and Schroeder, 1951) in
Dipturus oregoni (Bigelow and Schroeder, 1958) in
Leucoraja lentiginosa (Bigelow and Schroeder, 1951) in
Rostroraja texana (Chandler, 1921) formerly Raja texana in
Springeria folirostris Bigelow and Schroeder, 1951 in
SQUALIFORMES (sleeper sharks and dogfish)
Etmopterus schultzi Bigelow, Schroeder, and Springer, 1953 in
Mollisquama mississippiensis Grace, Doosey, Denton, Naylor, Bart, Maisey, 2019 in
Fig.
ACTINOPTERYGII (Ray-finned fishes)
HOLOSTEI
Atractosteus spatula (Lacepède, 1803)
Lepisosteus oculatus Winchell, 1864 in
Fig.
ELOPOMORPHA
Congridae
Heteroconger luteolus Smith, 1989 in
Muraenidae
Monopenchelys acuta (Parr, 1930) in
Ophichthidae
Gordiichthys ergodes McCosker, Böhlke and Böhlke, 1989 in
Gordiichthys leibyi McCosker and Böhlke, 1984 in
Ophichthus omorgmus McCosker and Böhlke, 1984 in
Ophichthus rex Böhlke and Caruso, 1980 in
Fig.
CLUPEIFORMES
Alosidae
Alosa alabamae Jordan and Evermann, 1896 - in
Alosa chrysochloris (Rafinesque, 1820) in
Brevoortia gunteri Hildebrand, 1948 in
Brevoortia patronus Goode, 1878 in
Neoopisthopterus cubanus Hildebrand, 1948 in
STOMIIFORMES
Eustomias leptobolus Regan and Trewavas, 1930 in
Fig.
NEOTELEOSTS
Ateleopidae
Ijimaia antillarum Howell Rivero, 1935 in
Aulopiformes
Stemonosudis bullisi Rofen, 1963 in
Gadoidei
Coryphaenoides mexicanus (Parr, 1946) in
Fig.
PERCOMORPHA
ACANTHURIFORMES
Ogcocephalidae
Halieutichthys intermedius Ho, Chakrabarty and Sparks, 2010 in
Ogcocephalus pantostictus Bradbury, 1980 in
Oneirodidae
Oneirodes bradburyae Grey, 1957 in
Sciaenidae
Cynoscion arenarius Ginsburg, 1930 in
Fig.
Sparidae
Calamus arctifrons Goode and Bean, 1882 in
Calamus campechanus Randall and Caldwell, 1966 in
Tetraodontidae
Sphoeroides parvus Shipp and Yerger, 1969 in
Sphoeroides spengleri (Bloch, 1785) in
Fig.
ATHERINIFORMES
Atherinopsidae
Atherinella schultzi (Álvarez and Carranza, 1952)
Menidia clarkhubbsi Echelle and Mosier, 1982 in
Menidia colei Hubbs, 1936 in
Menidia conchorum Hildebrand and Ginsburg, 1927 in
Cyprinodontidae
Floridichthys carpio (Günther, 1866) in
Jordanella floridae Goode and Bean, 1879 in
Jordanella pulchra (Hubbs, 1936) in
Fig.
Fundulidae
Fundulus grandis Baird and Girard, 1853 in
Fundulus jenkinsi (Evermann, 1892)in
Fundulus persimilis Miller, 1955 in
Fundulus pulvereus (Everman, 1892) in
Fundulus xenica Jordan and Gilbert, 1882 (formerly Adinia xenica) in
Poeciliidae
Gambusia yucatana Regan, 1914 in
Fig.
BATRACHOIDIDAE
Opsanus pardus (Goode and Bean, 1880) in
Sanopus reticulatus Collette, 1983 in
Fig.
BLENNIFORMES
Chasmodes longimaxilla Williams, 1983 in
Hypleurochilus caudovittatus Bath, 1994 in
Hypleurochilus multifilis (Girard, 1858) in
Lupinoblennius nicholsi (Tavolga, 1954) in
Fig.
CARANGIFORMES
Citharichthys abbotti Dawson, 1969 in
Gymnachirus texae (Gunter, 1936) in
Trichopsetta ventralis (Goode and Bean, 1885) in
Fig.
GOBIIFORMES
Gobiidae
Bollmannia communis Ginsburg, 1942 in
Bollmannia eigenmanni (Garman, 1896)
Coryphopterus punctipectophorus Springer, 1960 in
Ctenogobius claytonii (Meek, 1902) in
Gobiosoma longipala Ginsburg, 1933 in
Varicus benthonis (Ginsburg, 1953) formerly Chriolepis benthonis in
Varicus marilynae Gilmore, 1979 in
Varicus vespa (Hastings and Bortone, 1981) formerly Chriolepis vespa in
Microdesmidae
Microdesmus lanceolatus Dawson, 1962 in
LABRIFORMES
Halichoeres burekae Weaver and Rocha, 2007 in
Fig.
OPHIDIIFORMES
Bythitidae
Parasaccogaster rhamphidognatha (Cohen, 1987) in
Dinematichthyidae
Gunterichthys longipenis Dawson, 1966 in
Ogilbia cayorum Evermann and Kendall, 1898 in
PERCIFORMES
Triglidae
Prionotus longispinosus Teague, 1951 in
Prionotus martis Ginsburg, 1950 in
Prionotus paralatus Ginsburg, 1950 in
Zoarcidae
Exechodontes daidaleus DeWitt, 1977 in
Lycenchelys bullisi Cohen, 1964 in
Fig.
SCOMBRIFORMES
Hyperoglyphe bythites (Ginsburg, 1954) in
SYNGNATHIFORMES
Syngnathus texanus Gilbert, 2013 in
Fig.
Understanding the impacts of catastrophic environmental events such as the 2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill does not end when the wellhead is capped or when the last drops of oil cease to flow. The disaster only begins to end when the data no longer show impacts of the event. We are far from the beginning of the end for DWH. Lingering chemicals, lost generations of wildlife and a continued ecosystem imbalance may all be factors that prevent an environment from rebounding from such cataclysmic events (
Of these species of greatest concern, six remain unsampled: Eustomias leptobolus, Etmopterus schultzi, Lycenchelys bullisi, Microdesmus lanceolatus, Neoopisthopterus cubanus and Parasaccogaster rhamphidognatha (see Table
Species of Greatest Concern not collected or observed since the DWH (and their last identification date).
Species of Greatest Concern from the Gulf of Mexico |
Last Identification Date |
Etmopterus schultzi Bigelow, Schroeder & Springer 1953. (Squaliformes, Etmopteridae) |
2009 |
Lycenchelys bullisi Cohen 1964. (Perciformes, Zoarcidae) |
1999 |
Microdesmus lanceolatus Dawson 1962 (Gobiiformes, Microdesmidae) |
1994 |
Parasaccogaster rhamphidognatha (Cohen 1987) (Ophidiiformes, Bythitidae) |
1969 |
Springeria folirostris Bigelow and Schroeder 1951 (Rajiforms, Anacanthobatidae) |
2004 |
Endemic species of Lesser Concern (less than 35% of their distribution was noted to be in the region of the spill) not collected in the GOM following DWH (and their last identification date).
Missing Gulf of Mexico Endemics |
Last Seen/Collected |
---|---|
Eptatretus minor (Fernholm & Hubbs 1981); (Myxiniformes, Myxinidae) |
2009 |
Exechodontes daidaleus DeWitt 1977; (Scorpaeniformes, Zoarcidae) |
2007 |
Fundulus persimilis (Miller 1955); (Atheriniformes, Fundulidae) |
2005 |
Gordiichthys ergodes McCosker, Böhlke & Böhlke 1989; (Elopomorpha, Ophichthidae) |
2006 |
Gordiichthys leibyi McCosker & Böhlke 1984; (Elopomorpha, Ophichthidae) |
2005 |
Gunterichthys longipenis* Dawson 1966; (Ophidiiformes, Dinematichthyidae) |
observed 2011 |
Hyperoglyphe bythites* (Ginsburg 1954); (Scombriformes, Centrolophidae) |
observed in 2019 |
Jordanella pulchra* (Hubbs 1936); (Atheriniformes, Cyprinodontidae) | observed in 2019 |
Leucoraja lentiginosa* (Bigelow & Schroeder 1951); (Rajiformes, Rajidae) |
observed in 2012 |
Menidia clarkhubbsi Echelle & Mosier 1982; (Atheriniformes, Atherinopsidae) |
2000 |
Menidia colei Hubbs 1936; (Atheriniformes, Atherinopsidae) |
2009 |
Mollisquama mississippiensis Grace, Doosey, Denton, Naylor, Bart & Maisey 2019. (Squaliformes, Dalatiidae) | 2010 |
Monopenchelys acuta (Parr 1930); (Elopomorpha, Muraenidae) |
2007 |
Neoopisthopterus cubanus Hildebrand 1948; (Clupeiformes, Pristigasteridae) |
1937 |
Ophichthus omorgmus McCosker & Böhlke 1984; (Elopomorpha, Ophichthidae) |
1999 |
Parmaturus campechiensis Springer 1979; (Carcharhiniformes, Pentanchidae) |
1970 |
Sanopus reticulatus* Collette 1983; (Actinopterygii, Batrachoididae) |
observed 2015 |
Stemonosudis bullisi Rofen 1963; (Neoteleosts, Paralepididae) |
2007 |
Syngnathus texanus Gilbert 2013; (Sygnathiformes, Syngnathidae) |
1983 |
Varicus benthonis (Ginsburg 1953); (Gobiiformes, Gobiidae) |
no specific year available |
Varicus marilynae Gilmore 1979; (Gobiiformes, Gobiidae) |
1974 |
Varicus vespa (Hastings & Bortone 1981); (Gobiiformes, Gobiidae) |
2006 |
Notably, the newly described Pocket Shark, Mollisquama mississippiensis, (
Recently reported “found” (once “missing”; Chakrabarty (2016)) species in the GOM following DWH and the number of reportings (collected or observed).
Gulf of Mexico Species Once "Missing", Now Found | Last Collected/Reported |
Calamus campechanus Randall & Caldwell 1966; (Acanthuriformes, Sparidae) |
reported 2+ times since 2010 |
Chasmodes longimaxilla Williams 1983; (Blenniformes, Blenniidae) | observed and collected 2 times since 2010 |
Coryphopterus punctipectophorus Springer 1960; (Gobiiformes, Gobiidae) |
observed more than 5 times since 2010 |
Ctenogobius claytonia (Meek 1902); (Gobiiformes, Gobiidae) |
collected 1 time since 2010 |
Dipturus olseni (Bigelow & Schroeder 1951); (Rajiformes, Rajidae) |
collected 1 time since 2010 |
Dipturus oregoni (Bigelow & Schroeder 1958); (Rajiformes, Rajidae) |
collected 3 times since 2010 |
Fundulus jenkinsi (Evermann 1892); (Atheriniformes, Fundulidae) |
collected 1 time since 2010 |
Gunterichthys longipenis Dawson 1966; (Ophidiiformes, Dinematichthyidae) |
observed 2 times since 2010 |
Halichoeres burekae Weaver & Rocha 2007; (Labriformes, Labridae) |
observed and collected more than 50 times since 2010 |
Heteroconger luteolus Smith 1989; (Elopomorpha, Congridae) |
observed and collected more than 5 times since 2010 |
Hyperoglyphe bythites (Ginsburg 1954); (Scombriformes, Centrolophidae) |
observed 1 time since 2010 |
Hypleurochilus caudovittatus Bath 1994. (Blenniformes, Blenniidae) |
reported 2 times since 2010 |
Hypleurochilus multifilis (Girard 1858); (Blenniformes, Blenniidae) |
collected 2 times since 2010 |
Ijimaia antillarum Howell Rivero 1935; (Neoteoleost, Ateleopodidae) |
observed 2 times since 2010 |
Jordanella pulchra (Hubbs 1936); (Atheriniformes, Cyprinodontidae) |
observed 1 time since 2010 |
Lupinoblennius nicholsi (Tavolga 1954); (Blenniformes, Blenniidae) |
observed 1 times since 2010 |
Menidia conchorum Hildebrand & Ginsburg 1927; (Atherinopsiformes, Atherinopsidae) |
observed and collected 2 times since 2010 |
Ogilbia cayorum Evermann & Kendall 1898; (Ophidiiformes, Bythitidae) |
observed and collected 2 times since 2010 |
Oneirodes bradburyae Grey 1957; (Acanthuriformes, Oneirodidae) |
collected 1 time since 2010 |
Ophichthus rex Böhlke & Caruso 1980; (Elopomorpha, Ophichthidae) |
observed and collected 2 times since 2010 |
Sanopus reticulatus Collette 1983; (Actinopterygii, Batrachoididae) |
observed 1 time since 2010 |
Although several endemic species of concern remain “missing” and the lack of samples may not be necessarily connected to the 2010 Oil Spill, their absence remains telling given how increased sampling efforts specifically looking at post-spill fish distributions, including GoMRI (the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative https://gulfresearchinitiative.org/;
The Gulf of Mexico continues to face many challenges from the Dead Zone, to climate change, loss of coast habitats and continued oil spills (
The George H. Lowery, Jr. Professorship at Louisiana State University supported the work of PC, AJS and XLC. Additionally XLC was supported by the LSU University College's Ronald E. McNair Research Scholars programme. We thank those working to provide data to GBIF and FishNet2 and for all those making these collections records publicly available. A John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship supported the work of BB. Creative Capital and the National Endowment for the Arts Our Town grant supported the work of BB and SC.