Phylogenetic Taxonomy of Wrasses and Parrotfishes (Labridae)

We present a comprehensive phylogenetic taxonomy of Labridae (wrasses, parrotfishes, hogfishes, and weedwhitings), one of the most species-rich lineages of marine teleost fishes, comprising 676 species distributed across tropical and temperate nearshore habitats worldwide. Using a phylogeny of 415 species inferred using genomic markers as a foundation, we create a synthetic phylogeny of 590 species of Labridae by including an additional 175 species based on mitochondrial DNA gene trees, other phylogenetic studies, and explicit statements of relationships in taxonomic revisions. We establish phylogenetic definitions for Labridae and 12 major clades: Hypsigenyinae, Odacini, Clepticini, Cirrhilabrinae, Labrinae, Cheilininae, Scarinae, Scarini, Sparisomatini, Xyrichtyinae, Pseudolabrinae, and Julidinae. Our taxonomy places parrotfishes (Scarinae) as a clade within Labridae, aligning with phylogenetic studies conducted over the past two decades. Our synthetic phylogeny highlights that several traditionally recognized genera (e.g., Halichoeres, Coris, Thalassoma), particularly within Julidinae, are polyphyletic. This finding necessitates substantial taxonomic revisions of Labridae including description and elevation of 11 genera, 17 new species synonyms, and more than 150 changes to genus-species combinations. This phylogenetically informed taxonomy provides a framework for understanding character evolution and adaptation in Labridae while preserving nomenclatural stability through the retention of well-established clade names.