Conservation Status of Wrasse Family Species in National Museum of Natural History Collection

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by the National Museum of Natural History has provided a comprehensive overview of the species composition and number of specimens of the wrasse family (Labridae) housed in their ichthyological collection. The report highlights the taxonomy of the family, following Nelson (2006), and provides information on the current species and their distribution. The study notes that the collection includes 152 museum storage units (2029 specimens of 25 species of 16 genera), representing specimens from the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Museum of Natural History's ichthyological collection contains 152 museum storage units (2029 specimens of 25 species of 16 genera) of wrasse family members.
  • The collection includes specimens from the Indian Ocean (56 specimens of 16 species of 12 genera) and the Atlantic Ocean (1973 specimens of 9 species of 5 genera).
  • The species composition of the family has not changed in Ukrainian marine waters over the past 50 years, and includes 7 species of 3 genera.
  • The collection lacks the green wrasse Labrus viridis, listed in the Red Book of Ukraine (2009).
  • The Goldsinny wrasse Ctenolabrus rupestris and the hogfish Lachnolaimus maximus are listed as vulnerable species in the Red Book of Ukraine (2009) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN 2022), respectively.
  • The conservation status of three species in the NMNH collection is as follows: two species are listed as rare and one as vulnerable.
  • The study highlights the importance of conservation efforts for the wrasse family species, particularly in the context of their declining populations.

Statistics:

  • 152 museum storage units (2029 specimens of 25 species of 16 genera) in the NMNH collection.
  • 56 specimens (16 species of 12 genera) from the Indian Ocean.
  • 1973 specimens (9 species of 5 genera) from the Atlantic Ocean.
  • 7 species (3 genera) remain unchanged in Ukrainian marine waters over the past 50 years.
  • 3 species (2 vulnerable, 1 rare) listed in the Red Book of Ukraine (2009).

Sources:

  • [1] Nelson, J. S. (2006). Fishes of the world: John Wiley & Sons.
  • [2] IUCN Red List (2022).
  • [3] National Museum of Natural History, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (2025). Collections of fish of the family Labridae in the National Museum of Natural History (Ukraine): species, their distribution and conservation status. Geo&Bio, 2025, 27(): 169-180.