A laboratory produced hybrid between Lutjanus synagris and Ocyurus Chrysurus and a probable hybrid between L. Griseus and O. Chrysurus (Perciformes : Lutjanidae)

We describe a laboratory cross between two species of western Atlantic snapper, the lane snapper, Lutjanus synagris and the yellowtail snapper Ocyurus chrysurus . We also describe a wild caught hybrid snapper, which is an apparent cross between a grey snapper, Lutjanus griseus and O. chrysurus . The laboratory cross resulted in offspring which are identical to the species described as Lutjanus ambiguus . Our data shown that L. ambiguus is not a valid species, but instead a naturally occurring hybrid between L. synagris and O. chrysurus . In light of the apparent ease with which Ocyurus hybridizes with Lutjanus , and the paucity of morphological characters to differentiate the two genera, we argue that Ocyurus should be synonymized with Lutjanus .