The Brown Trout

Nomenclature Debacle
Contents
Figures.........................................................................................................................................................2
Executive Summary.....................................................................................................................................2
The causes and effects of disputed western Eurasian brown trout taxonomy...............................................2
Causes.....................................................................................................................................................2
Effects......................................................................................................................................................3
Solution.......................................................................................................................................................3
Genealogy................................................................................................................................................3
How a genealogical approach allows for accurate species differentiation...................................................3
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................4
References...................................................................................................................................................5

Figures
Figure 1 Images of trout species from northern Ireland...............................................................................3
Figure 2 Brown trout, a popular sport fish...................................................................................................5
Executive Summary

Trout “Salmo trutta” have a natural range throughout Eurasia and North Africa (Špelić et al., 2021). They
are freshwater and anadromous (moving from saltwater to freshwater to breed) salmanoids, living in
rivers, streams, and lakes (Brown Trout Species Profile - RareWaters - Best Private Water Fly Fishing,
2023).

Since the conception of taxonomy (scientific naming system), brown trout have been at the center of a
debate over the proper name and species differentiation within the brown trout family. According to
James Owen, Carl Linnaeus was the first to give Brown trout their name, “Salmo trutta” in 1758. This
name not specific enough was organized again by Linnaeus into river and lake forms, S. fario and S.
lacutris. Now in the present day, Brown Trout has been classified in up to 60 different species dependent
on author (Guinand et al., 2021).

When debating taxonomy of brown trout, western Eurasia is a standout. Due to a variety of factors
taxonomists continuously disagree on species differentiation whether based off genetic or morphological
differences. A widely accepted phylogeny of brown trout in western Eurasia is something the scientific
community lacks. This affects conservation efforts and does not quench the thirst for knowledge humans
possess.

Disputed western Eurasian brown trout taxonomy

Causes
Major contributors in disputes over western Eurasian
brown trout taxonomy are a lack of knowledge
regarding phenotypic plasticity (The ability for a
single genotype to display many different
morphological traits) as well as human intervention in
trout populations (Lobón-Cerviá & Sanz, 2017)
(Guinand et al., 2021). Many taxonomists of the past
were not made aware of different ways a single gene
can express itself. This combined with past methods
of classifying organisms resulted in many same
species brown trout being labeled as different species.
For example S. labrax and S. trutta are currently
accepted to be separate species. No research has been
conducted on their genealogy so it is possible that
these two “species” are actually the same species and
just have different morphologies (Ninua et al.,
2018).Human intervention in trout populations is
another obstacle taxonomists face in the debate over
brown trout speciation. During and after WWII,
brown trout were farmed and stocked all though out
western Eurasia (Lobón-Cerviá & Sanz, 2017). This Figure 1 Images of trout species from northern Ireland
proved problematic for one major reason. These fish came from different aquaculture (raising of fish in
captivity) backgrounds meaning different genetics moving to different regions mixing with existing
populations. This resulted in many endemic traits for populations of brown trout being wiped out or
watered down by stocked trout genetics. This acts as a concealer for evolutionary histories of regional
brown trout populations, deeply blurring the lines between species. As we see in figure 1, the top two
species look nearly identical.
Trout may also have suffered taxonomic inflation (i.e., the recognition of unnecessary taxa; Isaac et al.,
2004) in order to support management and conservation decisions. (Guinand et al., 2021)

Effects
Lack of an agreed upon Linnaean speciation of brown trout have numerous negative impacts. Many
trivial, like debates between taxonomists; it is important to remember that the most negative impact is its
implications on brown trout conservation.
Conservation efforts for brown trout stocks have been complicated by the lack of a universally agreed
upon speciation of trout. Unfortunately, it is impossible to regulate species of brown trout without a clear
distinction between populations without generalizing and regulating the entire family in one go.

Solution
Genealogy
A full reset of species name through a genealogical approach is the best system for differentiating species
of trout. This combined with matching the geographic regions these fish are from and comparing
morphologies between fish should allow for enough evidence to make a set list of western Eurasian
brown trout species.
This kind of approach will be time consuming, but with the proper funding and three to five years of time
with researchers like, Andrew Ferguson, Thomas E. Reed, Tom F. Cross, Philip McGinnity, and Paulo A.
Prodöhl who are experts in the field of brown trout, a proper taxonomic system can be developed.

How a genealogical approach allows for accurate species differentiation

A genealogical approach covers the issues brought up beforehand. Phenotypic plasticity a newer concept
in biology was something taxonomists who debated trout speciation lacked knowledge of. This resulted in
brown trout populations being grouped into separate species even thought they all contained the same
genealogy. By looking at the DNA sequences in sample populations, we can match these common
genotypes to certain morphologies and can rule out duplicate species who may look different but are of
the same species.
This genealogical approach also covers the issues concerning brown trout being stocked in the wild from
different genetic backgrounds during the second world war. By ignoring confusing morphologies of fish
who have lost their distinct adaptations to their environment (used to differentiate species), we can
investigate their DNA sequence and match specific sections of codes between fish. This approach could
shed light on what genetic backgrounds the stocked brown trout were from and could show what the true
native population is. Even if we are unable to uncover the genetic backgrounds of these stocked trout, it
would still be more accurate to break these fish into hybrid species based off DNA sequences. These
sequences would be from separate species that were able to mate and produce viable offspring (offspring
capable of producing their own offspring). Covering these two issues will result in the most accurate
western Eurasian speciation to date.
Figure 2 Brown trout, a popular sport fish

Conclusion
The lack of coherence between taxonomists on Western Eurasian brown trout populations is something
the scientific community deals with to this day. Conservationists and taxonomists will be left with the
pieces unless action is taken.
Previous attempts at speciation of western Eurasian brown trout have proved futile. This leaves the door
wide open for innovative speciation techniques. With the introduction of DNA sequencing in 1977 (The
Dawn of DNA Sequencing, n.d.), and constant advancement over the past four decades, using this
relatively modern technology will allow for accurate brown trout speciation. No longer will the methods
of looking at brown trout morphology be used to distinguish populations from one another. This means no
pondering over whether these species are native or introduced via aquaculture and more direct routes to
brown trout population conservation.
If enough studies are conducted using a genealogical approach, a coherent framework can be created
resulting in a widely accepted Western Eurasian brown trout speciation.
References

Brown Trout Species Profile—RareWaters—Best Private Water Fly Fishing. (2023, March 29). RareWaters
- Best Private Fly Fishing Rivers, Lakes and Creeks for Trout, Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout Near Me.
https://rarewaters.com/brook-trout-species-profile-copy/
Guinand, B., Oral, M., & Tougard, C. (2021). Brown trout phylogenetics: A persistent mirage towards
(too) many species. Journal of Fish Biology, 99(2), 298–307. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14686
Lobón-Cerviá, J., & Sanz, N. (2017). Brown Trout: Biology, Ecology and Management. John Wiley &
Sons.
Ninua, L., Tarkhnishvili, D., & Gvazava, E. (2018). Phylogeography and taxonomic status of trout and
salmon from the Ponto-Caspian drainages, with inferences on European Brown Trout evolution and
taxonomy. Ecology and Evolution, 8(5), 2645–2658. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.3884
Špelić, I., Rezić, A., Kanjuh, T., Marić, A., Maguire, I., Simonović, P., Radočaj, T., & Piria, M. (2021).
Application of the geometric morphometrics approach in the discrimination of morphological traits
between brown trout lineages in the Danube Basin of Croatia. Knowledge & Management of Aquatic
Ecosystems, 422, Article 422. https://doi.org/10.1051/kmae/2021021
The dawn of DNA sequencing. (n.d.). @yourgenome · Science Website. Retrieved June 20, 2023, from
https://www.yourgenome.org/stories/the-dawn-of-dna-sequencing/