Three of the ten eligible species were recently described (2013) and two are so new they haven't been described by science (yet). Bartram's Bass and Altamaha Bass made the list because they're informally recognized as species pending a formal description.Why does the DNR recognize different species for a "bass slam" award but for nothing else?
You are correct based on the original 1940 description of the Redeye Bass however science (like most things) has come a long way since that time. Not only that but the two guys that described the Redeye Bass (Carl Hubbs & Reeve Bailey) were from the University of Michigan. In most cases they were using specimens collected by locals and preserved in jars. I've read that some of those specimens were over ten years old! When you consider all of this it's not hard to see how black bass diversity in the region might've been overlooked. People forget the Shoal Bass was actually classified as a 'Redeye Bass' from 1940-1999 until it was finally described by Williams & Burgess as a separate species.I thought redeye bass were just one species but now the state is saying they are classified as multiple species?
According to the WRD Georgia Bass Slam page one reason for the bass slam challenge is to "...stimulate interest in the conservation and management of black bass and their habitats".I know it's been posted the science community has recognized the different bass species but fishery agencies sure are slow to.
Glad to see the DNR is doing just that.
A trout slam would be nice as well
I think when its all said and done they will be 12 species altogether in GA. We Know the Northern and Florida Large Mouths are separate. Also the Kentucky and Alabama. As soon as the sort out the 5 Red-eyes there will be 12.
My bass slam will include all 12.
1. Micropterus cataractae shoal bass
2. Micropterus notius Suwannee bass
3. Micropterus dolomieu smallmouth bass
4. Micropterus salmoides largemouth bass
5. Micropterus floridanus, Florida Bass
6. Micropterus punctulatus Kentucky spotted bass
7. Micropterus henshalli Alabama bass
8. Micropterus sp. cf. M. coosae (Bartram's bass)
9. Micropterus sp. cf. M. coosae redeye bass (Tallapoosa)
10. Micropterus sp. cf. M. coosae redeye bass (Altamaha / Ogeechee)
11. Micropterus sp. cf. M. coosae redeye bass (Chattahoochee)
12. Micropterus coosae redeye bass (Coosa Bass)