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= White Marlin = White marlin (Kajikia albidus) also known as Atlantic white marlin, marlin, skilligalee is a species of billfish that lives in the epipelagic zone of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Ocean. They are found between the latitudes of 45° N and 45° S in waters deeper than 100m. White marlin have been found near banks, shoals, and canyons but they are not limited to those locations. They prefer warm surface temperatures greater than 22° Celsius.

Identification
White marlin are commonly misidentified with roundscale spearfish (Tetrapturus georgei). This caused a miscount of the population size of white marlin and roundscale spearfish. By the time the two species were identified as genetically different white marlin were in danger (more on this is described in conservation). Differentiation between the two species can be done with close external examination. As described in the name, roundscale spearfish have a broad, round anterior end of their scales. White marlin's scales are more rigid and rounded on the posterior region of the scale. Another way to identify between the two species without doing a genetic test is by looking at the distance between the anal opening and the anal fin. In roundscale spearfish the anal opening is further way from the anal fin than it is in the white marlin.

Taxonomy and Evolution
In 1860, Felipe Poey gave the white marlin the name Tetrapurus albidus. This classification identified the species in the same genus as shortbill spearfish, mediterranean spearfish, roundscale spearfish, and longbill spearfish. Looking at fossil records researchers have identified fossils from the genus Tetrapurus dating back to the Langhian Age 15 ma (million years ago). Extinct ancestors, such as species from the genus Palaeorhynchus date to as early as 56 ma.

Tetrapurus albidus was the accepted name for white marlin until 2006. At this time Collette and his colleague's genetic testing suggested that white marlin and indo-pacific striped marlin should be classified as genus Kajikia. Today, Kajikia albidus and its close relative Kajikia audax (striped marlin) have been scientifically proven to be genetically different from the species in the genus Tetrapurus.

Appearance and Anatomy
White marlin are mid-sized billfish with a bill, that is round in cross section, and a distinctly forked caudal fin. Their body structure is designed for fast swimming with a long streamline appearance. The length of K. albidus is measured from lower jaw to fork length (LJFL). The largest white marlin reported was 2.8m (9.2 ft) LJFL and weighed over 82kg (180.8lbs). The coloring of white marlin is used as countershading with a dark blue dorsal side and a dirty white ventral side. Even though all white marlin have the same coloring pattern they are sexually dimorphic, usually the females being larger. One of the most noticeable features on white marlin is the dorsal fin which extends along the majority of the dorsal side. The dorsal fin consists of on average 28 to 46 rays. These rays make up a fin which is tall and rounded in the anterior but quickly shelf off and decrease as it extends to the posterior. Behind the large primary dorsal fin is the secondary dorsal fin which is made up of five to six rays. White marlin have a set of similar pectoral fins and pelvic fins. These two sets of fin are rounded and wide at the tip. They also contain two anal fins which can be used for identification between species (more in identification). The lateral line on this species is prominent with a hump above the pectoral fin and extending the length of the fish toward the caudal fin.

Internally, white marlin do not have a swim bladder but instead have small bubble shaped chambers that act as a swim bladder. Similarly to most vertebrates they have symmetrical gonads. . Unlike other marine fish white marlin do not have gill rakers which are involved in suspension feeding. White marlin do have small but sharp teeth that are used when eating fish and Cephalopod.

Feeding and Diet
White marlin are near the top of the food chain and will consume anything they can find manageable for their size. Schooling flyingfish, small Tuna, Mahi-mahi, and Squid are the preferred prey of white marlin. White marlin have two ways of foraging for food. One way white marlin obtain food is by help of other predators. White marlin usually keep to themselves but will socialize with other apex predators in order to increase the efficiency of foraging. Another way white marlin obtain food is by diving in a V- or U- shaped arch to about 200 m in search food food that is not at the surface. In order to survive in these lower temperatures and darker environments white marlin have evolved to have larger eyes and a way to selectively warm their eye and brain tissue.

Life Cycle and Migration
The life cycle of K. albidus begins with a large batch spawning in warm tropical waters near the equator. Researchers have assessed that each female can lay 190,000 to 586,000 eggs. Gulf of Mexico, Mona Passage, Southwest Bermuda, and Northwest Grand Bahama Island are few location have been located as prime spawning ground for white marlin. White marlin return to the warm shallow equatorial waters each year to spawn for the new generation. Growth of white marlin is very rapid with males reaching sexual maturity at only 153.2 cm LJFL and females becoming sexually mature at 189.9 cm LJFL. The lifespan of white marlin has been identified as 15 or more years.

White marlin are ram ventilators which means they have to be constantly moving in order to breathe. Since white marlin have to constantly move to stay alive they make long transatlantic journeys. Ortiz and his colleagues tracked one white marlin for 474 days and reported that the fish resurfaced 6517 km (4083 miles) from where it was tagged.

Fishing and Conservation
Prior to 2001 roundscale spearfish and white marlin were identified as the same species. Researchers from Nova Southeastern University's Guy Harvey Research Institute, Dania Beach, Florida first discovered that these two species were significantly different in 2001 through genetic tests. Before this discovery the two species made up a population that was of least concern to the IUCN. Placement into the endangered species list was not established until 2007 in which case the population numbers had already dropped below easily recoverable levels.

White marlin fishing is a multi-million dollar organization in well developed countries. Their are restriction in place to limit the size of fish that can be taken but the angling process can be devastating to fish. the time spent on the hook, outside handling, dehooking, and releasing a white marlin exhaust enough that up to 32% of the time the marlin can not maintain buoyancy in the water. When fishing for any billfish it is recommended to use a circle hook which can be dehooked quicker than other hooks.

90% of the annual catch is caught accidentally in bycatch from fishing industries around the world. Many billfish are caught in gill nets or on long line hooks that were meant to catch other fish species. Since these hooks and nets are set for long periods of time white marlin become food to sharkes, pilot whales, and killer whales. In response to the decrease in white marlin, marine life agencies have developed acts and plans such as The Atlantic Tunas Conservation Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to protect the vulnerable species. The U.S. Fishery Management Plan for the Atlantic Billfish has objective to educate and increase knowledge about billfish and their role in the ecosystem. In the United States billfishing is conserved to recreational fishing only.