What is suggested about the white marlin's evolutionary niche based on its slender bill and smaller size compared to its *Makaira* cousins?

Its niche likely involves slightly faster responses to localized prey movements rather than sheer, sustained top-end speed.

The physical characteristics of the white marlin, namely its smaller overall stature and its relatively slender bill, imply a specialization in its predatory strategy compared to the bulkier *Makaira* species like the blue marlin. This morphology suggests an evolutionary path optimized not necessarily for raw, sustained top-end velocity over long distances—an area where the blue marlin might dominate—but rather for superior agility and quicker acceleration. This agility would be advantageous when reacting swiftly to localized movements of smaller, faster prey items, such as schooling fish or squid, which are typically encountered in the upper strata of the ocean where the white marlin frequently hunts. This specialization, while effective in a natural environment, may present challenges when facing broad, high-mortality fishing pressure.