Taxonomy of Finfish

1.1.4 Principal tasks of the taxonomists

Identification of Fish species

• When these are available, the description of the appropriate species should be checked character by character with the keys and manuals available.
• Once this is over, the identifier has to compare with the type specimens deposited in the established museums.

Taxonomical Revision

• For taxonomical revision of a family or genus, the investigator should study specimens from various museums including the holotype and also fresh specimens available in its native environment.
• While collecting fishes for revisional study there should not be any biased population samples.
• Specimens of all stages and different sexes have to be collected with adequate number of samples. Collections should cover all localities of the species.
• Sampling should be done in such a way as to provide study materials not only for the species but also for the evolutionist.
• All the characters of a particular species for identification should be carefully studied.

Study the evolutionary link

The taxonomist has to link the species from its ancestor. This well help to group the organisms at higher taxon level.