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A new species of the tubenose goby is described, found in some rivers and lakes of the Black Sea coast of Georgia and Abkhazia. In contrast to the widely distributed in the basin of the northeastern part of the Black Sea Proterorhinus marmoratus s. stricto, the new species typically has no more than 16½ branched rays in the dorsal fin (typically no less than 17½ rays in P. marmoratus), typically 13½ rays in anal fin (typically no less than 14½ rays in P. marmoratus); total number of scales along the mid-lateral is no more than 50 (varies from 47 to 57 in P. marmoratus); in specimens SL 40 mm or more, the distance from the anterior tip of the snout to the origin of the second dorsal fin longer than 50% SL (typically shorter than 50% SL in P. marmoratus) and the distance to the origin of anal fin longer than 56% SL (shorter than 56% SL in P. marmoratus). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mudskippers are a group of extant ray‐finned fishes with an amphibious lifestyle and serve as exemplars for understanding the evolution of amphibious capabilities in teleosts. A comprehensive anatomical profile of both the soft and hard tissues within their propulsive fins is essential for advancing our understanding of terrestrial locomotor adaptations in fish. Despite the ecological significance of mudskippers, detailed data on their musculoskeletal anatomy remains limited. In the present research, we utilized contrast‐enhanced high‐resolution microcomputed tomography (μCT) imaging to investigate the barred mudskipper, Periophthalmus argentilineatus. This technique enabled detailed reconstruction and quantification of the morphological details of the pectoral, pelvic, and caudal fins of this terrestrial mudskipper, facilitating comparison with its aquatic relatives. Our findings reveal that P. argentilineatus has undergone complex musculoskeletal adaptations for terrestrial movement, including an increase in muscle complexity and muscle volume, as well as the development of specialized structures like aponeuroses for pectoral fin extension. Skeletal modifications are also evident, with features such as a reinforced shoulder‐pelvic joint and thickened fin rays. These evolutionary modifications suggest biomechanically advanced fins capable of overcoming the gravitational challenges of terrestrial habitats, indicating a strong selective advantage for these features in land‐based environments. The unique musculoskeletal modifications in the fins of mudskippers like P. argentilineatus, compared with their aquatic counterparts, mark a critical evolutionary shift toward terrestrial adaptations. This study not only sheds light on the specific anatomical changes facilitating this transition but also offers broader insights into the early evolutionary mechanisms of terrestrial locomotion, potentially mirroring the transformative journey from aquatic to terrestrial life in the lineage leading to tetrapods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the benefits that can come from coordinated movement, many diadromous fishes have evolved partial migration strategies, where a portion of a population does not migrate. Co‐occurring life‐history variants might nonetheless gain some advantage by exhibiting congruent phenologies, with key events timed to follow the same cue. Here, we assess this possibility by examining otolith microchemistry and structure to quantify the lunar periodicity of hatching and metamorphosis according to migration strategy in a facultative amphidromous goby endemic to Hawai'i. Our analyses corroborated prior evidence that Awaous stamineus exhibits partial migration and that residential A. stamineus are often proportionately more abundant than the migratory form. Contrary to expectation, we found a significant difference in hatching time between migratory and residential A. stamineus. A higher proportion of A. stamineus migrants hatched at the full moon and metamorphosed at the new moon, whereas residents exhibited the opposite phenology. Comparisons to Sicyopterus stimpsoni intended to provide a broader context revealed that the obligately amphidromous species tends to hatch at the new moon and metamorphose at the full moon, mirroring the phenology of residential A. stamineus. Evidence of convergent lunar phenologies suggests that synchronising life‐history events can confer benefits that extend beyond species boundaries. Notably, phenological discordance could be acting as a prezygotic isolating barrier between sympatric life‐history variants, pointing to the presence of heretofore unrecognised evolutionary diversity within partially migratory species like A. stamineus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report for the first time three gobioid fishes: Amblygobius semicinctus (Bennett, 1833), Istigobius diadema (Steindachner, 1876), and Yongeichthys nebulosus (Forskål, 1775) from the Gujarat coast of India. We present short descriptions with species diagnostic characters, habitat and present distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fieldwork in the Hoi estuary area of the Ma River has recorded nine species of Gobiidae. Three of these species are recorded for the first time in the study area, including Acentrogobius caninus (Valenciennes, 1837), Glossogobius olivaceus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1845), and Oxyurichthys papuensis (Valenciennes, 1837). We update the list of gobiid species in the Hoi estuary; it now includes 18 species.

Although longjaw mudsucker (Gillichthys mirabilis, Gobiidae) has been studied extensively for its ability to occupy low‐oxygen environments, few studies have addressed the evolution of its exceptionally elongated jaws that extend posteriorly beyond the gill opening in large adults. In this study, the ontogeny of the maxillae of G. mirabilis, Gillichthys seta, and the out‐group species Eucyclogobius newberryi was studied within the heterochrony framework using digitized landmarks and caliper measurements. The results show that the maxilla of both species of Gillichthys evolved via acceleration (increased growth rate) and that of G. mirabilis via hypermorphosis (continued growth to a larger body size); two forms of peramorphosis. This is in contrast to earlier studies that concluded that G. seta is paedomorphic. We were unable to confirm an earlier hypothesis of sexual dimorphism in the jaw length of G. mirabilis. The evolution of the elongated jaws and associated large buccopharyngeal membrane in G. mirabilis is hypothesized to increase the surface area for gas exchange during aerial respiration and may also serve to amplify the aggressive gaping display as observed in other fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite being one of the most speciose fish families in the Mediterranean Sea, knowledge about the diversity of gobies (Actinopterygii: Gobiidae) in this sea is still unsatisfactory, as documented by recent descriptions of a number of new species. Although very common in shallow water, Gobius incognitus Kovačić & Šanda, 2016, had escaped attention until 2016, when it was discovered. Due to its overall superficial morphological similarity, G. incognitus used to be confused with a much rarer species, Gobius bucchichi Steindachner, 1870, which was considered one of the most common shallow-water gobies in the Mediterranean Sea. In this work, we tested the suitability of the genetic data (mitochondrial gene encoding cytochrome b) for identifying and distinguishing between these two goby species, and assessed the congruency between the distribution records based on genetic data and those based on morphological identification. We analysed material of 304 specimens of G. incognitus and G. bucchichi from 49 localities covering a considerable part of the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean near Gibraltar, representing 19 geographically well-separated areas. We detected 270 sequences of G. incognitus, and only 34 of G. bucchichi. In both species, a high haplotype variability was observed. The sequence species identity matched morphological identification for all specimens for which vouchers were available. The mean uncorrected p-distance between G. incognitus and G. bucchichi was 13%, while the mean intraspecific distances were much lower (0.63% and 0.68%, respectively). We found 79 fixed mutations between these two species. Data on distribution based on genetic identification are completely congruent with published results based on morphological identification. The results of this study support molecular methods as a reliable tool for distinguishing morphologically similar fish species, which is particularly useful when only tissue is available for determination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical deep reefs (~40-300 m) are diverse ecosystems that serve as habitats for diverse communities of reef-associated fishes. Deep-reef fish communities are taxonomically and ecologically distinct from those on shallow reefs, but like those on shallow reefs, they are home to a species-rich assemblage of small, cryptobenthic reef fishes, including many species from the family Gobiidae (gobies). Here we describe two new species of deep-reef gobies, Varicus prometheus sp. nov. and V. roatanensis sp. nov., that were collected using the submersible Idabel from rariphotic reefs off the island of Roatan (Honduras) in the Caribbean. The new species are the 11th and 12th species of the genus Varicus, and their placement in the genus is supported by morphological data and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Additionally, we also collected new specimens of the closely-related genus and species Pinnichthys aimoriensis during submersible collections off the islands of Bonaire and St. Eustatius (Netherland Antilles) and included them in this study to expand the current description of that species and document its range extension from Brazil into the Caribbean. Collectively, the two new species of Varicus and new records of P. aimoriensis add to our growing knowledge of cryptobenthic fish diversity on deep reefs of the Caribbean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite being one of the most speciose fish families in the Mediterranean Sea, knowledge about the diversity of gobies (Actinopterygii: Gobiidae) in this sea is still unsatisfactory, as documented by recent descriptions of a number of new species. Although very common in shallow water, Gobius incognitus Kovačić & Šanda, 2016, had escaped attention until 2016, when it was discovered. Due to its overall superficial morphological similarity, G. incognitus used to be confused with a much rarer species, Gobius bucchichi Steindachner, 1870, which was considered one of the most common shallow-water gobies in the Mediterranean Sea. In this work, we tested the suitability of the genetic data (mitochondrial gene encoding cytochrome b) for identifying and distinguishing between these two goby species, and assessed the congruency between the distribution records based on genetic data and those based on morphological identification. We analysed material of 304 specimens of G. incognitus and G. bucchichi from 49 localities covering a considerable part of the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean near Gibraltar, representing 19 geographically well-separated areas. We detected 270 sequences of G. incognitus, and only 34 of G. bucchichi. In both species, a high haplotype variability was observed. The sequence species identity matched morphological identification for all specimens for which vouchers were available. The mean uncorrected p-distance between G. incognitus and G. bucchichi was 13%, while the mean intraspecific distances were much lower (0.63% and 0.68%, respectively). We found 79 fixed mutations between these two species. Data on distribution based on genetic identification are completely congruent with published results based on morphological identification. The results of this study support molecular methods as a reliable tool for distinguishing morphologically similar fish species, which is particularly useful when only tissue is available for determination.

Glossogobius is the most speciose among all the genera of the family Gobiidae. Eight species of Glossogobius have been reported in the Philippines, which include the most abundant and commercially important species, G. aureus. In this study, Glossogobius specimens were collected from nine lakes in the Philippines. A total of 113 specimens were DNA barcoded using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Additional sequences of Glossogobius were mined from GenBank. The neighbor-joining (NJ) tree showed that all the specimens from Laguna de Bay, Naujan, Buluan, Bato, Buhi, and Paoay lakes clustered with G. aureus sequences from GenBank with a 99% bootstrap support. Ten of the 14 specimens from Taal Lake were also included in this cluster; the other four specimens morphologically identified as G. illimis formed a separate cluster. The specimens from Lake Lanao formed two separate groups: one group clustered with G. aureus, while the other group formed a separate cluster and were designated as G. cf. aureus because they are morphologically similar to G. aureus, but are genetically divergent from it. All the 20 specimens from Lake Mainit formed a separate cluster and are most likely a new and still undescribed species. DNA barcoding also lends support to previous studies which showed, based on morphological data, that G. giuris and G. celebius are species complexes. Within-species genetic distances suggest that G. callidus, G. bicirrhosus, and G. circumspectus are also species complexes. The discovery of possibly new species from Lake Mainit, cryptic species from Lake Lanao, and the presence of species complexes in Glossogobius have implications on the proper conservation and management of these important fishery resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gobiopsis canalis, checkered goby is one of the rare species of the genus Gobiopsis, with information available from few specimens only. In the present study, this species has been discovered for the first time from the north-eastern Arabian Sea. Previously the species was reported from the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, Pakistan and India's south-west coast. The presently collected specimen is only the second specimen to be collected from the entire west coast of India since 1941. Parachaeturichthys polynema is one among the most widely distributed goby along coasts of India from the Bay of Bengal to the Arabian Sea, but it had never been documented from Gujarat (1600 km) before the present study. The present study fills the gap in the distribution of G. canalis and P. polynema along the coasts of the Arabian Sea. The detailed morphometric and meristic characters of specimens are presented in the study, which are generally limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of deep-water goby, Obliquogobius bathyalis n. sp. from New Caledonia, is described on the basis of three specimens collected with trawls at 264-350 m depth. The new species is characterised by the following characters: second dorsal-fin rays I, 8; analfin rays I,8 or I,9; head length 29.4-36.7% of SL; eye diameter 41.5-52.35 of head length; longitudinal scale rows 24-26; transverse scale rows 9-10; no predorsal scales; no scales on lateral surface of nape; postorbital pore G absent (from anterior oculoscapular canal); gill opening wide; caudal fin asymmetrical dorsoventrally, rays of upper half much longer than those of lower half, giving obliquely pointed appearance; four or five vertical dark bars on lower side of body; first dorsal fin distally with large black blotch; caudal fin distally dark; distinct dark spot on centre of caudal-fin base present. The new species is compared with other species in the genus. A revised key to the species of Obliquogobius is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gobies are dominant in terms of both species diversity and abundance in estuarine habitats, but little is known about their early developmental stages in the coastal waters of Vietnam. To examine species diversity of goby larvae and juveniles, monthly collections were carried out using a small seine net from the Ka Long estuary in the northernmost Vietnamese coast, from September 2014 to August 2015. A total of 1,334 goby fishes of 20 species or more in three families (Butidae, Oxudercidae and Gobiidae) were caught, including nine unidentified species. This is the first record of gobies at early developmental stages from an estuary in Vietnam. The family Oxudercidae was the most abundant in terms of total species, and Gobiopterus chuno was the most frequent species in the study area. The goby specimens collected were mostly postflexion larvae and juveniles, ranging from 2.3 mm to 99.1 mm in body length. The size of nine dominant gobies was around 10 mm body length. In the study site, goby fishes are from tropical, subtropical and temperate zones, suggesting this goby fauna can display transitional biodiversity from tropical to temperate waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of dwarfgoby, Eviota fluctiphila, n. sp., is described from West Papua in the western Pacific Ocean. It has a complete cephalic sensory-canal pore system (pattern 1), dorsal/anal-fin formula of usually 8/8, some pectoral-fin rays branched, the fifth pelvic-fin ray absent, the first dorsal fin not filamentous, no occipital or dark marks on the nape, the pectoral-fin base peppered with scattered melanophores, the first dorsal fin dark crossed by a pale band, two dark postanal spots above the anal-fin base, a dark internal blotch over the preural centrum on and above the midline, and a pear-shaped male urogenital papilla. Eviota fluctiphila occurs in shallow (0.2-2 m), high-energy reef habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of pygmygoby, Trimma citrum, is described from a single male specimen from deep reefs (116 m, 380 feet) on the west coast of Tutuba Island, which is located at the southeast tip of Espiritu Santo Island, Vanuatu in the western Pacific Ocean. The new species is characterized by a scaled predorsal midline, the fifth pelvic-fin ray with one dichotomous branch point, unbranched pectoral-fin rays, the bony interorbital 41% pupil width, more than a single posterodorsal row of cheek scales, and 6 papillae in cheek row c. The fresh color pattern is diagnostic, with a plain lemon-yellow body, a white saddle on the dorsal caudal peduncle, and an indistinct collection of melanophores on the posterior caudal peduncle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eviota zebrina complex includes eight species of closely-related dwarfgobies, four of which are herein described as new. The complex is named for Eviota zebrina Lachner & Karnella, 1978, an Indian Ocean species with the holotype from the Seychelles Islands and also known from the Maldives, which was once thought to range into the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea eastward to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Our analysis supports the recognition of four genetically distinct, geographically non-overlapping, species within what was previously called E. zebrina, with E. zebrina being restricted to the Indian Ocean, E. marerubrum sp. nov. described from the Red Sea, E. longirostris sp. nov. described from western New Guinea, and E. pseudozebrina sp. nov. described from Fiji. The caudal fin of all four of these species is crossed by oblique black bars in preservative, but these black bars are absent from the four other species included in the complex. Two of the other species within the complex, E. tetha and E. gunawanae are morphologically similar to each other in having the AITO cephalic-sensory pore positioned far forward and opening anteriorly. Eviota tetha is known from lagoonal environments in Cenderawasih Bay and Raja Ampat, West Papua, and E. gunawanae is known only from deeper reefs (35-60 m) from Fakfak Regency, West Papua. The final two species are E. cometa which is known from Fiji and Tonga and possesses red bars crossing the caudal fin (but lost in preservative) and a 9/8 dorsal/anal-fin formula, and E. oculineata sp. nov., which is described as new from New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, and possesses an 8/7 dorsal/anal-fin formula and lacks red caudal bars. Eviota oculineata has been confused with E. cometa in the past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presently reported study examined the length-weight relations for 11 goby species collected from a mangrove estuary of the Red River, Vietnam. A total of 1097 individuals of the following species, representing three goby families, were analyzed: Butis butis (Hamilton, 1822); Butis koilomatodon (Bleeker, 1849); Acentrogobius moloanus (Herre, 1927); Acentrogobius viridipunctatus (Valenciennes, 1837); Apocryptodon madurensis (Bleeker, 1849); Aulopareia unicolor (Valenciennes, 1837); Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton, 1822); Gobiopsis macrostoma Steindachner, 1861; Mugilogobius abei (Jordan et Snyder, 1901); Tridentiger barbatus (Günther, 1861); and Tridentiger trigonocephalus (Gill, 1859). The regression slope values (b) ranged from 2.909 to 3.621. The majority of species had positive allometric or isometric growth pattern with b = 3, except for only one species (G. giuris) which had a negative allometric growth with b = 2.909. This study provided the first LWR information of four gobies that have not been reported in FishBase yet. Besides, the reference for LWRs of other gobies at an ecologically important area like Ba Lat Estuary is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite aquatic invasive species (AIS) being a widely recognized threat to native biodiversity in streams on subtropical and tropical oceanic islands across the Pacific, AIS management has been constrained by concerns that methods of removal could result in more harm than good. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness and outcomes of combining hand-netting and streamside sequestration of native species with AIS removal via three-pass electrofishing tailored for Hawaiian Island watersheds. Removals were conducted in 13 watersheds on the island of O'ahu following a before-after, control-impact design to assess how AIS removal and post-removal community reassembly varied by surface flow and target species of interest. We found that removals resulted in a sharp reduction in AIS densities without altering native species densities. Removal efficacy was greatest in streams with intermediate mean discharge irrespective of target group or pre-removal AIS densities. Long-term monitoring demonstrated that removals led to persistent shifts in community composition reflecting sustained reductions in AIS densities. These findings indicate that electrofishing can be a valuable tool for AIS management in Hawaiian and other subtropical Pacific island streams, so long as steps are taken to minimize potential harm to at-risk and culturally important native species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large tracts of mangroves have been converted into aquaculture ponds and the consequent loss of biodiversity has been much decried. This paper shows that high aquatic biodiversity is retained in mangrove-derived aquaculture ponds in Dumangas, Iloilo, Philippines. Documentation of biodiversity was carried out over two years in 15 adjacent ponds (water areas 0.25-0.9 ha) used for farming penaeid shrimps, mud crabs, milkfish, seabass, rabbitfish, and other fishes. At harvest, these ponds yielded many extraneous non-crop or "bycatch" species, which had been naturally seeded by the tides and had grown (and some species reproduced) over the 2-10 mo that the ponds were underwater. From 21 crop cycles were obtained 8-56 species (from 6-30 taxonomic families) of bycatch fishes and macrocrustaceans with biomass of 2.5-168.4 kg ha-1 and abundance of 2-92 x 10³ individuals ha-1, the differences due to pond area, duration of immersion, farming system, crop species, and the bycatch community. Some 85 species (44 families) of fishes occurred in the ponds, including 12 species of gobies, of which the small-size Acentrogobius viganensis, Pseudogobius javanicus, Mugilogobius cavifrons, and Gobiopterus panayensis reached high abundance. Macrocrustaceans consisted of 30 species (nine families), including several penaeid and palaemonid shrimps (Metapenaeus ensis and Nematopalaemon tenuipes were most common) and portunid and grapsid crabs. Mollusks in the ponds included 58 species (24 families), of which Cerithideopsilla cingulata was most abundant. The Dumangas ponds were leaky and allowed tidal recruitment of many mangrove animals despite net screens and chemical treatments. Existing tidal ponds serve as proxy mangrove lagoons (wetlands) that can harbor high aquatic biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Otolith shape variation in the Ornate goby, Istigobius ornatus (Teleostei: Gobiidae), collected along the intertidal coasts of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea, was analysed using Wavelet transform technique in the ShapeR package to determine population differentiation and structure. There were significant differences (P < 0.001, ANOVA) among geographically distant populations based on the variation in the anterior and posterior otolith rims. However, otolith shapes of neighbouring populations were more similar to each other (P > 0.01). Mantel test showed a positive correlation between the Euclidean distance of otolith shape and geographical distances among populations (r = 0.93, P < 0.002). This indicates that levels in otolith shape resemblance between populations are dependent on geographic distance. Different scenarios are discussed to explain the pattern of otolith shape variation and population structure. Among possible key mechanisms responsible for population differentiations are isolation by distance, Late Pleistocene sea level fluctuations, and ecological and geographical differences between the studied locations. This study highlights otolith shape efficiency as an exceptionally convenient morphological marker to study intraspecific-level evolutionary and contemporary phenomena in marine fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of dwarfgoby, Eviota amphipora n. sp., is described from Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. The new species has a cephalic sensory-canal pattern having only the supraotic (SOT) and paired posterior interorbital (PITO) pores, only the second described Eviota species with this distinctive pattern. It has a dorsal/anal fin-ray formula of 9/8, one or more branched pectoral-fin rays, the fifth pelvic-fin ray a rudiment, and six postanal spots. The color pattern is also diagnostic: a translucent gray body with iridescent blue on the dorsal and anal fins and two diagonal dark-brown bars across the pectoral-fin base, the first dorsal fin crossed by two wide black bars, the second dorsal fin with three fully black vertical bars extending up from the base of the fin, and a smaller fourth bar at the end of the posterior fin rays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to study the effect of vitamin-mineral fodder concentrate on the quality, safety and nutritional value of beef.

Two specimens of the common goby (Pomatoschistus microps) were observed in the estuarine environment of the River Asinaro (Sicily). These records represent the easternmost and southernmost observations of the species in the Mediterranean Sea, and the first confirmed record in the Ionian Sea (central Mediterranean Sea). We also provide notes about its habitat and current distribution in the Mediterranean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-indigenous species are recognised as a significant threat to estuaries as they can negatively impact native fauna and ecosystem functioning. This study compared the abundance and distribution of the introduced gobiid, Acentrogobius pflaumii, with native gobiids in the shallow, nearshore and deeper, offshore waters of the Swan-Canning Estuary over 31 consecutive months and determined the influence of salinity and water temperature on the gobiid assemblage. Eight gobiid species were recorded (six native and two non-indigenous). Each species was present in offshore waters, with five also occurring in nearshore waters. The contribution of A. pflaumii to the gobiid fauna varied markedly between depths, not being recorded in the 1240 samples from nearshore waters, but representing almost half of all gobiids caught in offshore waters. The percentage contribution of this species to the total gobiid abundance declined with distance from the estuary mouth, from 96% in the most downstream region to only 0.4% in the uppermost. The overwhelming contributions of A. pflaumii in the lower estuary, which historically contained few gobiids, indicate that it has successfully exploited an unoccupied niche. Gobiid composition, in both depths, differed mainly among regions, with species partitioning themselves along the longitudinal axis of the estuary. In offshore waters, Favonigobius lateralis and A. pflaumii dominated the lower regions and Arenigobius bifrenatus, Favonigobius punctatus and Pseudogobius olorum the regions further upstream. The distributions of these species are influenced by salinity and, to a lesser extent, temperature. While there is spatial overlap between A. pflaumii and native gobiid species, its preference for deeper, more saline waters may limit the impact of this non-indigenous species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Many natural coastal habitats around the world are being replaced by hard coastal defense structures as a result of rising sea levels and increasing intensity of storms. To examine the potential effects of riprap on gobies in the nearshore zone of the southern Caspian Sea, we used angling to compare their abundance and diversity in 13 riprap and natural habitats (sandy and gravel shores) from April 2012 through April 2013. In total, 819 gobies of three species, Caspian sand goby Neogobius pallasi (N = 433), round goby Neogobius melanostomus (N = 206), and Caspian goby Neogobius caspius (N = 180) were collected. No round gobies were caught from sandy shores and only two Caspian gobies were caught from gravel habitats, while all three species were abundant in riprap shores. A significant difference was observed in CPUE of all three goby species among shore types, with riprap sites having the highest abundance. PERMANOVA and nMDS demonstrated differences in goby assemblages among all three habitats. There were significant differences in round goby and Caspian goby sizes among riprap and natural habitats, while there were no significant differences in Caspian sand goby size among habitat types. In general deployment of riprap, especially in an area characterized as having natural shores with low structural complexity, could enhance the abundance and coexistence of nearshore gobies and act as a dispersal vector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of dwarfgoby, Eviota dalyi, is described from three specimens collected in the Amirante Islands, Seychelles, in the western Indian Ocean. It is characterized by a cephalic sensory-canal pore pattern lacking only the IT pore (Pattern 2); a dorsal/anal-fin-ray formula of 8/7; 15 branched pectoral-fin rays; a fifth pelvic-fin ray; and long, white anterior narial tubes. The live color pattern is distinctive, not similar to any of the 116 other species of the genus, comprising bright red-and-white markings on the head and orange and yellow bars crossing the translucent body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gobiid genus Coryogalops is a group of small-sized benthic fishes, living in calm shallow waters of estuaries and lagoons in the coasts of central and western Indian Ocean, Red Sea and southeastern Atlantic Ocean. This study presents the first record of Tessellate goby, Coryogalops tessellatus Randall, 1994 from the Iranian intertidal coast of Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. The morphological description and coloration of collected individuals are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The highfin goby Gobionelus oceanicus is herein reported for the first time in freshwaters of Costa Rica. One specimen was collected in the lower Pacuare River basin, Atlantic slope, Costa Rica. This new record brings the total number of Costa Rican native freshwater fish species to 253.

Feeding habits of Caspian marine shad Alosa braschnikowii (Borodin, 1904), inhabiting in the western part of Caspian Sea such as prey spectrum and seasonal dynamics have been studied. As in other parts of Caspian Sea, throughout the year, the main hunt of Caspian marine shad constituted kilkas, gobies and shrimps while other groups of zoobenthos were represented in a lesser extent. Importance of other fishes and zoobenthos in the diet of Caspian marine shad is influenced by their ecological morpho-functional peculiarities. Seasonal changes of species composition and proportions of fodder food items are caused by life cycles of fishes and migrations of fodder entities. The changes of food composition depending length of fishes, the depth and haul region are analyzed. Caspian marine shad most intensively feeds in spring (March – April) before spawning and in summer (July) after spawning.

Cryptocentrus altipinna, n. sp. is described as a new species, distinguished from other species of Cryptocentrus in having ctenoid scales on the body, a high first dorsal fin, and the predorsal area without scales. The species is known only from a few specimens from the Indian Ocean and appears closest to C. caeruleomaculatus, which is not found in the central or western Indian Ocean. The new species is most similar to C. caeruleomaculatus and C. strigilliceps, forming a complex characterized mainly by having ctenoid scales posteriorly on the body (vs. all cycloid), among a set of other features. These latter two species are redescribed based on examination of material in several institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphology of an individual can affect functional performance and, ultimately, survival and fitness. To study these links, a first step is to evaluate the relationship between morphology and performance. Sicydiine fishes are an interesting model for such studies, because successful completion of their life cycle depends on a functionally demanding task: climbing waterfalls when they return to freshwater from the ocean. Previous studies identified two different climbing modes among sicydiines: 'inching' and 'powerburst'. Relationships between morphology and climbing performance have been found for inching and powerburst species present on different islands from distant oceans (Pacific and Caribbean), but species from the same island have not been compared. In this study, we challenged two different sicydiine species from Réunion Island to an artificial climbing ramp: the inching climber Sicyopterus lagocephalus and the powerburst climber Cotylopus acutipinnis. For each species, we evaluated differences in morphology between successful and unsuccessful climbers. We predicted that species with similar climbing styles (S. lagocephalus and S. stimpsoni) would show differences between successful and unsuccessful climbers that more closely resembled each other than differences between successful and unsuccessful climbers across species from the same island (S. lagocephalus and C. acutipinnis). This prediction was only partially met. S. lagocephalus individuals with a streamlined body showed better climbing performance, as observed for S. stimpsoni. However, the size of the pelvic sucker, which fish use to attach to the substrate while resting, appeared less important for S. lagocephalus than for S. stimpsoni and C. acutipinnis. Instead, the size of the mouth, which inching species use to attach to the substrate while moving up, seemed important for S. lagocephalus but not for other species. Thus, differences in the morphology–performance relationship among sicydiines may relate not only to differences in climbing mode, but also to species‐specific specializations within each climbing mode. The morphology–performance relationship was described for the waterfall‐climbing function of two sicydiine fish species in Réunion Island and compared to similar studies for sicydiine species of Hawai'i and Dominica. Differences in the morphology–performance relationship were observed between species using different climbing mode in Réunion Island, but also between species using the same climbing mode on different islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indo-West Pacific sand goby Valenciennea parva Hoese & Larson is recorded from the Red Sea for the first time on the basis of underwater observation of several individuals and one specimen collected from sandy bottom adjacent to coral reefs at Al Lith, Saudi Arabia, at a depth of 8 m. Detailed morphometric and meristic data for the specimen is provided. Among known Valenciennea species, the collected Al Lith specimen positively matches V. parva. However, differences in the Red Sea specimen to specimens from the type locality (eastern Australia) are evident in some characters. A key to the species of Valenciennea known from the Red Sea is provided, including V. helsdingenii, V. parva, V. puellaris, V. sexguttata, and V. wardii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of alpheid-shrimp-associated goby is described from Fiji based on 9 specimens, 17.2-23.4 mm SL. Diagnostic features include an exceptionally small size at maturity, a uniform black color, possession of vomerine teeth, a rounded caudal fin, 65-81 scales in the longitudinal series, 0-15 predorsal scales, body depth at pelvic-fin origin 4.4-5.2 in SL, snout length 4.4-8.4 in HL, and caudal-peduncle depth 3.3-3.8 in HL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To investigate an unusual outbreak of tetrodotoxin poisoning in Leizhou, southeast China, a case series analysis was conducted to identify the source of illness. METHODS: A total of 22 individuals experienced symptoms of poisoning, including tongue numbness, dizziness, nausea and limb numbness and weakness. Two toxic species, Amoya caninus and Yongeichthys nebulosus, were morphologically identified from the batches of gobies consumed by the patients. Tetrodotoxin levels in the blood and Goby fish samples were detected using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The tetrodotoxin levels in the remaining cooked Goby fish were determined to be 2090.12 µg/kg. For Amoya caninus, the toxicity levels were 1858.29 µg/kg in the muscle and 1997.19 µg/kg in the viscera and for Yongeichthys nebulosus, they were 2783.00 µg/kg in the muscle and 2966.21 µg/kg in the viscera. CONCLUSION: This outbreak demonstrates an underestimation of the risk of Goby fish poisoning. Furthermore, the relationships among the toxic species, climates and marine algae present should be clarified in the future.

The high diversity and distribution of Bathygobius Bleeker, 1878 makes it an excellent group to study evolution patterns within the Atlantic. Thus, the aims of this work were to investigate the taxonomic status, geographical distribution and evolutionary history of Bathygobius in the Atlantic and to examine the genetic structure and demographic and phylogeographic history of two species widely distributed in the Atlantic, Bathygobius soporator and Bathygobius geminatus. Our results indicate that a new insular species, Bathygobius brasiliensis sp. nov., can be found in the Western Atlantic, which diverged from its sister species, Bathygobius antilliensis, around 3.03 Mya [cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) d = 0.063; cytochrome b (cyt b) d = 0.074]. There are several old mitochondrial lineages and limited gene flow among major biogeographic provinces of both B. soporator and B. geminatus (COI: overall ΦST = 0.32, P < 0.05; overall ΦST = 0.31, P < 0.05, respectively). We discuss how the Atlantic biogeographical barriers appear to have influenced the formation of the sister species of Bathygobius, and we formulate hypotheses on how the intermittent nature of biogeographical barriers, coupled with the ecological and biological traits of species and ecological and hydrological characteristics of the provinces, shaped the genetic structure and phylogeography of B. soporator and B. geminatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses histological techniques to make a detailed comparison of the reproductive morphologies of four gobiid genera, Amblyeleotris, Ctenogobiops, Fusigobius and Kraemeria. Three distinct reproductive morphological patterns were observed. All species examined in the genus Fusigobius exhibit either an ovariform or testiform gonad and precursive accessory gonadal structures (pAGS) associated with each of the gonadal lobes, regardless of gonadal state. In contrast, among species of Amblyeleotris, Ctenogobiops and Kraemeria examined, pAGS were not found. Furthermore, Amblyeleotris and Ctenogobiops differ from both Kraemeria and Fusigobius in lacking AGS associated with the testiform gonad. These findings, based solely on reproductive morphology, suggest that Kraemeria and Fusigobius may be more closely related to each other than either is to Amblyeleotris and Ctenogobiops. Findings of this study support the view that reproductive morphological patterns could prove informative in elucidating evolutionary relationships within the family Gobiidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stomach content composition and prey-specific consumption rates of juvenile and adult harbor porpoises ( Phocoena phocoena) were estimated from a data set including 339 stomachs collected over a 32 yr period (1980-2011) in the western Baltic Sea. The stomach contents were mainly hard parts of fish prey and in particular otoliths. The bias originating from differential residence time of otoliths in the stomachs was addressed by use of a recently developed approach. Atlantic cod and herring were the main prey of adults, constituting on average 70% of the diet mass. Juvenile porpoises also frequently consumed gobies. Here, the mass contribution by gobies was on average 25%, which was as much as cod. Other species such as whiting, sprat, eelpout, and sandeels were of minor importance for both juveniles and adults. The diet composition differed between years, quarters, and porpoise acquisition method. Yearly consumption rates for porpoises in the western Baltic Sea were obtained in three scenarios on the daily energy requirements of a porpoise in combination with an estimate including the 95% CLs of the porpoise population size. Cod of age groups 1 and 2 and intermediate-sized herring suffered the highest predation from porpoises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of shrimpgoby, Tomiyamichthys reticulatus, is described on the basis of a single specimen taken at 16 m from a fine, silty-sand bottom at Rabi Island, Fiji. It differs from the other 12 valid described species in the genus on the basis of high fin-ray counts a combination of 12 dorsal and 13 anal-fin soft rays and 21 pectoral-fin rays, as well as a lanceolate caudal fin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of dwarfgoby, Eviota pictifacies, is described from Sumbawa in Indonesia. The new species is distinguished by having the cephalic sensory-canal pore system complete (pattern 1), with the PITO pore very small; the dorsal/anal fin-ray formula 9/8; some pectoral-fin rays branched; a 5th pelvic-fin ray present; a distinct dark occipital spot, no series of small dark spots along the dorsal-fin base, two separate orange spots behind the eye, distinctive black marks on the underside of the head, the side of the head with large round red spots, and the scleral surface of the eye with bold dark-brown-and-white markings. The new species is compared in detail to other Eviota species that share the cephalic sensory-canal pore system pattern and dorsal/anal fin-ray formula and also have an occipital spot, i.e. E. fallax, E. karaspila, E. melasma, and E. smaragdus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The Dniprodzerzhynsk reservoir is one of six reservoirs built on the Dnieper River, which currently supports important commercial and recreational fisheries. To date, there are no published data on the reservoir’s non-commercial fish species, among which gobies are considered to be the most abundant and important species. The goal of this work was to contribute to general knowledge on local gobiid fauna, focusing on their mesohabitat preferences. Materials and methods. Sampling in the Dniprodzerzhynsk reservoir was conducted during late August of 2011 and 2012 within the framework of routine annual juvenile fish surveys in the Dnieper reservoirs. Fish were collected at sampling sites located along the reservoir shoreline using a beach seine made of mill sieving gauze (1 mm mesh size). Mesohabitat features were recorded at each beach seine haul site, and included maximum depth, substrate type, and vegetation density. These data were used to identify fish mesohabitat preferences with the aid of Ivlev’s electivity index. Results. Seven gobiid species were collected: western tubenose goby, Proterorhinus semilunaris (Heckel, 1837); knout goby, Mesogobius batrachocephalus (Pallas, 1814); Pontian monkey goby, Neogobius fluviatilis (Pallas, 1814); round goby, N. melanostomus (Pallas, 1814); racer goby, Babka gymnotrachelus (Kessler, 1857); Pontian bighead goby, Ponticola kessleri (Günter, 1861); and ratan goby, Ponticola ratan (von Nordmann, 1840). Ratan goby was recorded for the first time from this reservoir. Most frequently encountered were monkey goby (76.27%), followed by western tubenose goby (32.20%), racer goby (31.36%), round goby (14.41%), bighead goby (10.17%), while knout and ratan gobies were the most rare (each accounting for 1.69%). All gobiids showed preferences for certain mesohabitat features such as bottom substrate and aquatic vegetation density. Conclusion. The gobiid fauna of the reservoir is rich and is dominated by monkey goby. The occurrence of ratan goby, an estuarine and marine species that adapted to freshwater conditions, is an evidence for ongoing Ponto-Caspian gobiid invasion to the Dnieper reservoirs.

The aim of this work is to provide the vocal repertoire of the Ponto-Caspian goby Neogobius fluviatilis and to compare the acoustical properties of this species with those of the other soniferous Mediterranean gobies belonging to the so called “Gobius-lineage”. Vocalisations and associated behaviours were recorded under controlled aquarium conditions in female and male Neogobius fluviatilis. Sound emission was elicited by means of “intruder tests”, using an individual of the same or of the opposite sex as intruder, and recording sounds by means of an hydrophone placed at few cm from the shelter, provided as a nest for the resident fish. Five acoustic properties, including spectral and temporal ones, were measured from 13 individuals. The vocal repertoire of the species consisted of sequences of short vocalizations during both agonistic and reproductive intraspecific interactions. The wave form of each sound resolves in a pure sine wave composed of rapidly repeated pulses. Sounds lasted about 200 ms, showing an average fundamental frequency of about 80 Hz (table 1). Sound properties did not differ between the reproductive and the aggressive contexts, being the general structure of the sounds highly stereotyped. Individual means of five acoustic properties characterising the sounds of seven species of the so called “Gobius” lineage, including Neogobius, were then entered in a Discriminant Function Analysis to assess how well species were differentiated on acoustic basis, and their degree of affinities. Results suggested that the pulse repetition rate of the sounds, that is the relative tonal/pulsatile nature of the sounds, is the most important property in differentiating species and that this property may contain a high level of phylogenetic signal, as the species producing tonal sounds are clustered together also according with the recent molecular phylogenies, available in the current literature. Results were also discussed in the light of the geological and phylogeographic events that are supposed to have driven the diversification of European gobies.

In large rivers, such as the Danube, standardized and representative sampling of fish is still problematic. Until now, night time shoreline electrofishing proved to be the most comprehensive fish assessment method, however, it is not suitable for detecting sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus), the only native sturgeon species still present in the upper and middle Danube. Besides, other rather rare native bottom dwelling fish species (e.g. Zingel streber) are also usually underrepresented in shoreline catches. Hence, we have developed in 2010 the electrified benthic frame trawl (EBFT) which, due to its robust frame, can overcome bottom structures and can give important results on offshore benthic fish species (i.e. presence-absence, distribution, spawning habitats, etc.). In 2013, this method was adopted by the fish Core Team of the Joint Danube Survey 3, providing an opportunity to test the equipment in diverse conditions along the whole river for the first time. Data were collected parallel with standard electrofishing at 22 sites from river km 2214 (Austria) to river km 15 in the Sulina arm (Romania) sampling 500 m long stretches parallel to the riverbank. We found that offshore areas were intensively used by a variety of species. Most abundant and most frequently occurring were the highly invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus, 9 ind/500 m) and the whitefin gudgeon (Romanogobio vladykovi, 4 ind/500 m). The number of Z. strebers caught (138 individuals from 16 sites) was much higher in the EBFT samples than in the shoreline catches (34 individuals from only 6 sites). The EBFT was also successful in catching sterlets but only 9 individuals were caught and only below the inflow of Tisa River. The survey proved the relevance of using the EBFT during large river fish assessments, and it also revealed the alarmingly low abundance of sturgeons. Based on the results further development (e.g. lifting device) and optimization possibilities of the EBFT may be also considered.

One of the main assumed impacts of invasive gobies is predation on benthic macroinvertebrates. Despite numerous dietary studies, however, quantitative evaluations of impact in European river systems are scarce. Here, we investigate the impact of tubenose ( Proterorhinus semilunaris, Heckel 1837) and round ( Neogobius melanostomus, Pallas 1814) gobies on macroinvertebrates in a lowland river (River Dyje, Czech Republic) by allowing and preventing gobiid access to rip-rap substrate naturally colonised by invertebrates at two sites (Site 1-tubenose goby only, Site 2-tubenose and round gobies). Gobies had a negative impact on invertebrates at both sites, with overall invertebrate density reduced by 15% (ca. 17.9 g m per year) at Site 1 and 36% (ca. 23.6 g m per year) at Site 2. Both species showed increased impact in summer and ingested larger invertebrates preferentially, resulting in an overall reduction in invertebrate body size. Tubenose gobies had a significant impact on Annelida, Gastropoda, Crustacea and Ephemeroptera nymphs, while tubenose and round goby together impacted Annelida, Bivalvia ( Dreissena), Gastropoda, Crustacea, Ephemeroptera nymphs, Odonata nymphs and Chironomidae larvae. Our results confirm that round and tubenose gobies can have a significant negative impact on aquatic invertebrate density and community composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Niche differentiation facilitates the coexistence of species within a community through avoidance of competition via mechanisms involving spatial, temporal and/or trophic dimensions. Where invasive species coexist in their non-native range, niche differentiation could allow their persistence at higher levels of abundance. Here, we tested whether there was temporal and/or trophic niche differentiation between two congeneric invasive goby species ( Rhinogobius cliffordpopei and Rhinogobius giurinus) in the sublittoral habitat of Lake Erhai (south-west China) through quantifying their diel and seasonal rhythm of locomotion activities, feeding activities and diet composition. Both species displayed two similar diel peaks in activity and two main feeding periods (6:00-10:00 and 18:00-22:00), with rhythms of locomotion and feeding activity not differing significantly between the species in each season. Their diets had a high degree of overlap, being primarily composed of macrozooplankton, aquatic insects and shrimp larvae, with no diel changes across the seasons. Thus, in this habitat, there was no clear temporal or trophic niche differentiation between the invasive congeners, indicating their coexistence with high temporal and trophic overlap. In conjunction with data from the littoral and profundal habitats, the gobies revealed different strategies across the habitats (e.g. spatial segregation, trophic niche differentiation) that minimised their competitive interactions and promoted their coexistence. This suggests that the interactions of invasive fishes during the integration into native communities can be context dependent, varying according to factors including habitat and the availability of food resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]