An Inconvenient Monophyly: An Update on the Taxonomy of the Groupers (Epinephelidae)

Abstract

Groupers (Epinephelidae) are a species-rich assemblage of marine reef fishes whose classification has undergone many changes across various taxonomic levels. Over the past two decades, a number of molecular phylogenetic studies have contributed significantly to clarifying the relationships among groupers; however, usage of the relationships recovered by these studies in the classification of groupers has been inconsistent. In this paper, we build upon the most comprehensive phylogeny for groupers and their allies and use it as a framework for a phylogenetic classification of the group. We correct previous errors or omissions in earlier works and hope to lay to rest any doubts regarding previously proposed classification schemes for groupers. The resulting classification scheme includes nine monophyletic genera and the subsummation of all but one previously monotypic genus.