BOLD-generated accumulation curves for specimens in this study.

<p>BOLD-generated accumulation curves for specimens in this study.</p

Using DNA Barcoding to Assess Caribbean Reef Fish Biodiversity: Expanding Taxonomic and Geographic Coverage

<div><p>This paper represents a DNA barcode data release for 3,400 specimens representing 521 species of fishes from 6 areas across the Caribbean and western central Atlantic regions (FAO Region 31). Merged with our prior published data, the combined efforts result in 3,964 specimens representing 572 species of marine fishes and constitute one of the most comprehensive DNA barcoding “coverages” for a region reported to date. The barcode data are providing new insights into Caribbean shorefish diversity, allowing for more and more accurate DNA-based identifications of larvae, juveniles, and unknown specimens. Examples are given correcting previous work that was erroneous due to database incompleteness.</p> </div

Collection efforts (by BOLD project) resulting in specimens reported here.

<p>Collection efforts (by BOLD project) resulting in specimens reported here.</p

Mexican larvae and juveniles with improved identifications (in boldface) due to increased taxon and geographic sampling. Original data from Valdez-Moreno et al [24], [25].

<p>Mexican larvae and juveniles with improved identifications (in boldface) due to increased taxon and geographic sampling. Original data from Valdez-Moreno et al <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0041059#pone.0041059-ValdezMoreno1" target="_blank">[24]</a>, <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0041059#pone.0041059-ValdezMoreno2" target="_blank">[25]</a>.</p

Coverage reported here of the speciose fish families listed by Floeter et al. [42] for the Western Atlantic (WA).

<p>Coverage reported here of the speciose fish families listed by Floeter et al. <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0041059#pone.0041059-Figtree1" target="_blank">[42]</a> for the Western Atlantic (WA).</p

Dendrogram including three instances of specimen and taxonomic confusion discussed in the text.

<p>Combined barcoding data from Mexico (MFL- and MX- prefixes) <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0041059#pone.0041059-ValdezMoreno1" target="_blank">[24]</a>, <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0041059#pone.0041059-ValdezMoreno2" target="_blank">[25]</a> with our data (BLZ = Belize; CUR = Curacao; FCC = Florida; FL = Florida; SMS = Florida) and shown in a dendrogram for visualization purposes only, with no intent to show phylogenetic relationships. The triangles are to scale showing the maximum amount of genetic variation within the clade, which ranges from the straight line (no differences between individuals) of the bottom clade (<i>Bairdiella chrysoura</i>) to the largest intraspecific variation in the <i>Eucinostomus gula</i> clade (B-white triangle: largest pairwise genetic distance = 0.0894) Interspecific and inter-clade distances and significance is discussed in the text.</p

Aerial photographs of whale sharks feeding at the Afuera aggregation in August 2009.

<p><i>Figure 4A</i> was taken from approximately 600 m altitude and shows 220 whale sharks and 4 tourist boats. <i>Figure 4A</i> was taken from lower altitude and shows 68 whale sharks, 1 tourist boats and 2 pairs of tourists snorkeling.</p

Aerial survey effort and whale sharks observed per month between May and September, from 2006 to 2009, in the coastal waters of Quintana Roo, México.

<p>Aerial survey effort and whale sharks observed per month between May and September, from 2006 to 2009, in the coastal waters of Quintana Roo, México.</p

Time series of whale shark observations during the 2009 Afuera whale shark aggregation in the coastal waters of Quintana Roo, México.

<p>Each column represents a single aerial survey.</p

The flight path followed on each aerial survey for whale sharks off the coast of Quintana Roo, México.

<p>The triangular leg to the east of 86°45′W was added to the original survey design to incorporate the newly-discovered Afuera whale shark aggregagtion. Waypoints were marked on GPS instrumentation to ensure accurate repeatability of the same path.</p