What non-population factor often obscures the true abundance data for *L. oculatus*?

Answer

Simple misidentification by observers.

The difficulty in accurately assessing the species' rarity is frequently due to observers confusing *L. oculatus* with similar species like the Florida gar or alligator gar based on subtle differences in pattern or size expectations.

What non-population factor often obscures the true abundance data for *L. oculatus*?
raritygarfish