Faculty member helps discover new fish species

Dr. Andrew Taylor, a University of North Georgia (UNG) assistant professor of fisheries biology, was part of a team that completed the formal scientific descriptions for two new species of black bass, a popular and economically important sportfish. The species — Bartram's Bass and Altamaha Bass — are endemic to just one or a few river systems in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

As exciting as being part of such a significant scientific discovery was for Taylor, it was also gratifying personally.

"Our science shows that they are different, and we finally have formal names for these two fish species," Taylor said. "From a fisherman's perspective, these two new species represent unique angling in Georgia's rivers and streams. The naming is also important because now that they are recognized to science, we can better justify steps to protect them."

The recent publication represents Taylor's undergraduate capstone research at the University of Georgia (UGA). Dr. Bud Freeman, the lead author, was one of Taylor's mentors at UGA.

Taylor did most of the underlying work on the morphological studies and presented that work back in 2009. A larger group of co-authors went back to do genomics to fully verify the specimens were not hybridized with other non-native bass prior to the descriptions being published this year. 

"It's a full-circle story of undergraduate research. I was fortunate that I had great undergraduate mentors along my journey. Not that many years ago, my mentors invested in training me, and the resulting research became part of something special," Taylor said. "I feel very fortunate that I'm now in this position at UNG where I get to pay it forward and empower the next generation of scientists to do the good work."

Dr. Nancy Dalman, professor and department head of biology, said Taylor is excelling in those efforts.

"Andrew is a great teacher and scholar. He brings his passion for fish into everything he does, and students adore him," Dalman said. "I feel fortunate he is part of our department."

Cory Brooks, a senior from Newnan, Georgia, pursuing a degree in biology, transferred to UNG his sophomore year and has worked with Taylor on research throughout his time at UNG. In addition to enjoying the fisheries fieldwork, Brooks said he appreciates the way Taylor has helped him make connections and prepare to apply to graduate school.

"He strives to support us with the projects we work on," Brooks said. "He's a really approachable person. He is willing to help students get involved."