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28. Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814) (Fig. 24), Round Goby Gobius melanostomus Pallas, 1814: 151; type locality: Sevastopol, Balaklava, Ukraine; types: no types known. Etymology: Greek, melanos = black + Greek, stoma = mouth, means black-mouthed, but might be thought to refer to the conspicuous black spot typically present on the rear part of first dorsal fin. Distribution and habitat: Widely distributed in the Ponto-Caspian basin (Fig. 22C). Present in all three areas of the Caspian Sea and entering various rivers of the Caspian Sea drainage. A benthic euryhaline species, inhabiting from the entirely of freshwaters of rivers and lakes to brackish polyhaline salinities (Pinchuk et al. 2003d). Laboratory experiments by Karsiotis et al. (2012) discerned broad salinity tolerances in the population that has established in the central Laurentian Great Lakes of North America, from 0–20 ppt, even without acclimation. This indicates high osmoregulatory capability. Remarks: Navozov (1912) distinguished the Caspian N. melanostomus as a separate subspecies, N. m. affinis Eichwald, 1831. Molecular data by Zarei et al. (2021) suggested three allopatric lineages, with shallow genealogical separations: (i) the Caspian Sea basin lineage corresponding to N. m. affinis; (ii) a second lineage from the Black Sea basin (native range), European and North American locations (invasive samples) corresponding to the typological subspecies; and (iii) a third lineage distributed in Sinop, northern Turkey (Southern Black Sea basin). Material examined: ZM-CBSU S031, 108, off Astara; ZM-CBSU S035, 1, Anzali Wetland; ZM-CBSU S035, 6, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S059, 42, Sefidroud mouth, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008i)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on pages 175-176, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Pinchuk, V. I., Vasil'eva, E. D., Vasil'ev, V. P. & Miller, P. J. (2003 d) Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814). In: Miller, P. J. (Ed.), The Freshwater Fishes of Europe. Vol. 8 / I Mugilidae, Atherinidae, Atherinopsidae, Blenniidae, Odontobutidae, Gobiidae 1. AULA-Verlag GmbH, Verlag fur Wissenschaft und Forschung, Wiebelsheim, pp. 293 - 345.","Karsiotis, S. I., Brown, J. E., Pierce, L. R. & Stepien, C. A. (2012) Salinity tolerance of the invasive round goby: experimental implications for seawater ballast exchange and spread to North American estuaries. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 38, 121 - 128. https: // doi. org / 10.1016 / j. jglr. 2011.12.010","Navozov, N. P. (1912) Materials for an ichthyofauna of the Ural River basin. Vestnik Ryby, 1912, 252 - 283. [in Russian]","Zarei, F., Esmaeili, H. R., Schliewen, U. K., Abbasi, K. & Sayyadzadeh, G. (2021) Mitochondrial phylogeny, diversity, and ichthyogeography of gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the oldest and deepest Caspian sub-basin and tracing source and spread pattern of an introduced Rhinogobius species at the tricontinental crossroad. Hydrobiologia, 848, 1267 - 1293. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / s 10750 - 021 - 04521 - 0","Freyhof, J. & Kottelat, M. (2008 i) Neogobius melanostomus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2008, e. T 14524 A 4442374. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2008. RLTS. T 14524 A 4442374. en"]}

Hyrcanogobius Iljin, 1928 (1 species) Etymology: Greek, Hyrcania = old Persian region near of Caspian Sea + Latin, gobius = gudgeon. Remarks: Originally distinguished as a separate genus due to the reduced head lateral-line canal system (Iljin 1928) but was later suggested as being congeneric with Knipowitschia by Economidis & Miller (1990). However, as noted under Knipowitschia by Miller (2004c), its possession of transverse interorbital rows and the much greater extent of its anterior transverse row tra appear to warrant its recognition as a separate genus based on its head lateral-line system (Miller 2004c). A detailed morphological and molecular analysis along with Knipowitschia thus is warranted., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Iljin, B. S. (1928) Two new genera and a new species of Gobiidae from the Caspian sea. Reports of the Astrakhan Scientific Fishery Station, 3, 1 - 13.","Economidis, P. S. & Miller, P. J. (1990) Systematics of freshwater gobies from Greece (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Journal of Zoology, 221, 125 - 170. https: // doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1469 - 7998.1990. tb 03781. x","Miller, P. J. (2004 c) Knipowitschia Iljin, 1927. In: Miller, P. J. (Ed.), The Freshwater Fishes of Europe Vol. 8 / II Gobiidae 2. AULA-Verlag GmbH, Verlag fur Wissenschaft und Forschung, Wiebelsheim, pp. 331 - 337."]}

25. Mesogobius nonultimus (Iljin, 1936) (Fig. 20), Caspian Toad Goby Gobius nonultimus Iljin, 1936: 337, fig. p. 325; type locality: 24 miles southwest of Ulsky Bank, Caspian Sea, depth 24 m above a bottom depth of 54 m, Turkmenistan; types: the holotype of this species, an adult female of 107.5 + 19.5 mm appears to be lost. Etymology: Iljin (1936) did not provide an explanation of the specific name. Distribution and habitat: Widely distributed in the open sea in all three areas of the Caspian Sea.A relatively deepwater mesohaline species (Pinchuk & Miller 2004d). Remarks: Kessler (1877) described Gobius nigronotatus from a single specimen, taken on the border between the North and Middle Caspian Sea areas at Fort Aleksandrovskiy, near Mangyshlak (Kazakhstan) at 43 m, and the brief definition of this species provided by Berg (1949) corresponded in a number of characters with M. nonultimus (Iljin), but differed chiefly in the alleged absence of head scales in the former and in the presence of six rather than seven first dorsal rays. However, D.B. Ragimov found just six first dorsal rays in material identified as M. nonultimus and small head scales that may be easily overlooked, as likely was the case before contemporary binocular microscopes and staining techniques. Pinchuk & Miller (2004d) tentatively synonymized those two nominal species. However, in the case that both species truly are conspecific, then M. nigronotatus (Kessler, 1877) would become the senior synonym for the taxon. A detailed morphological and molecular analysis of samples from the three Caspian Sea areas is warranted. Material examined: ZM-CBSU S036, 1, off Anzali, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: DD (Larson 2019b)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on pages 173-174, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Iljin, B. S. (1936) A new goby from the Caspian Sea Gobius nonultimus sp. n (Pisces, Gobiidae). Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR, Series A, 337 - 339. [in Russian]","Pinchuk, V. I. & Miller, P. J. (2004 d) Mesogobius nonultimus (Iljin, 1936). In: Miller, P. J. (Ed.), The Freshwater Fishes of Europe Vol. 8 / II Gobiidae 2. AULA-Verlag GmbH, Verlag fur Wissenschaft und Forschung, Wiebelsheim, pp. 132 - 137.","Kessler, K. T. (1877) The Aralo - Caspian Expedition. IV. Fishes of the Aralo - Caspio - Pontine Ichthyological Region. Naturgeschichte der Fische Islands, St. Petersburg, 360 pp.","Berg, L. S. (1949) Freshwater Fishes of the USSR and Adjacent Countries. Vol. III. Program for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem, 250 pp.","Larson, H. (2019 b) Mesogobius nonultimus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2019, e. T 123435177 A 123494822. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2019 - 3. RLTS. T 123435177 A 123494822. en"]}

14. Benthophilus macrocephalus (Pallas, 1787) , Caspian Tadpole Goby Gobius macrocephalus Pallas, 1787: 352, pl. 10, figs. 4–6; type locality: Caspian Sea; types: no types known. Etymology: Greek, makros = long + Greek, kephale = head, refers to the relatively large head. Distribution and habitat: Coastal waters of all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 11B). One of the most abundant species in the North Caspian Sea. In the Middle Caspian Sea, it has been recorded along the western coast, and in the South Caspian Sea eastward to Gorgan Bay, Iran (Ragimov 1965; Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). In the South Caspian Sea sub-basin, this species has been reported from the Anzali Wetland and Gorgan Bay in Iran and between Kultuk and Astara in Azerbaijan (Ragimov 1965). De Filippi (1865) reported this species in freshwaters of the Anzali Wetlands. The species has not been found along the eastern coast of the Middle Caspian Sea. The range is rather similar to that of B. leobergius (but the latter also has been collected at Ogurchinskiy Island). Occurs in coastal waters and estuaries usually at depths from 0.5–10 m, over muddy bottoms, and in the lower reaches of rivers. Widely distributed, but more abundant in areas having salinities less than 7–8 ‰. During warm seasons, it prefers coastal waters down to 10 m deep. In the North Caspian Sea region, it migrates to deeper areas (20–25 m) in the winter (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008e)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 168, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Ragimov, D. B. (1965) On the distribution of gobiids at the western coast of the central and southern Caspian. Doklady Akademii Nauk Azerbaijanskoy SSSR, 21, 47 - 50. [in Russian]","Boldyrev, V. S. & Bogutskaya, N. G. (2007) Revision of the tadpole-gobies of the genus Benthophilus (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 18, 31 - 96.","De Filippi, F. (1865) Note de un Viaggio in Persia Nei 1862. G. Daelli & C. Editori, Milano, 396 pp. [in Italian]","Freyhof, J. & Kottelat, M. (2008 e) Benthophilus macrocephalus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2008, e. T 135656 A 4172098. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2008. RLTS. T 135656 A 4172098. en"]}

13. Benthophilus leptorhynchus Kessler, 1877 , Long-nosed Tadpole Goby Benthophilus leptorhynchus Kessler, 1877: 56, fig. 12a; type locality: Azerbaijan: off Baku, depth 149.4 m; lectotype: ZISP [= ZIN] 10895 (damaged), paralectotypes: (2) whereabouts unknown. Etymology: Greek, leptos = slender + Greek, rhynchos = beak, refers to the relatively long snout. Distribution and habitat: Known only from the western coast of the Middle Caspian Sea and the very north of the South Caspian Sea, from off Sulak River mouth south to Baku (Fig. 11A). Not confirmed by specimens for Iran. Deepwater, reported at depths of 40–150 m at salinity 10–13.5 ‰ (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020g)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 168, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Kessler, K. T. (1877) The Aralo - Caspian Expedition. IV. Fishes of the Aralo - Caspio - Pontine Ichthyological Region. Naturgeschichte der Fische Islands, St. Petersburg, 360 pp.","Boldyrev, V. S. & Bogutskaya, N. G. (2007) Revision of the tadpole-gobies of the genus Benthophilus (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 18, 31 - 96.","Bogutskaya, N. (2020 g) Benthophilus leptorhynchus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2020, e. T 156757038 A 156757112. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2020 - 3. RLTS. T 156757038 A 156757112. en"]}

17. Benthophilus pinchuki Ragimov, 1982 * (Fig. 14), Pinchuk’s Tadpole Goby Benthophilus ctenolepidus pinchuki Ragimov, 1982: 49; type locality: off Bely Bugor, 37°4’N, southeastern Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan, depth 30 m; holotype: ZISP 53569 [ex IZA], paratypes: IZA 304 (8), ZISP 53660 [ex IZA 304] (6), additional material: ZIN 33143 (6), 44346 (1). Etymology: Named in honor of V. I. Pinchuk, Russian ichthyologist. Distribution and habitat: South Caspian Sea (Fig. 8A). Although Boldyrev & Bogutskaya (2007) also mapped its distribution in the North Caspian Sea, no data or explanation were provided, and according to Pinchuk & Miller (2003a), this species is absent from the North Caspian Sea region. Therefore, its distribution in the present checklist is depicted in the South Caspian Sea. We collected this species from the coastal waters of Anzali and from the Shafaroud River mouth, Gilan Province. A rare deep-water goby from depths down to 282–294 m, usually 50–100 m, in salinities of 12.4–13.2 ‰ (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). Material examined: ZM-CBSU S004, 1, & ZM-CBSU S005, 2, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S028, 5, Shafaroud River mouth, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: DD (Bogutskaya 2020h)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 169, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Boldyrev, V. S. & Bogutskaya, N. G. (2007) Revision of the tadpole-gobies of the genus Benthophilus (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 18, 31 - 96.","Pinchuk, V. I. & Miller, P. J. (2003 a) Benthophilus pinchuki Ragimov, 1982. In: Miller, P. J. (Ed.), The Freshwater Fishes of Europe Vol. 8 / II Gobiidae 2. AULA-Verlag GmbH, Verlag fur Wissenschaft und Forschung, Wiebelsheim, pp. 246 - 250.","Bogutskaya, N. (2020 h) Benthophilus pinchuki. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2020, e. T 156755866 A 156755972. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2020 - 3. RLTS. T 156755866 A 156755972. en"]}

9. Benthophilus grimmi Kessler, 1877 , Grimm’s Tadpole Goby Benthophilus grimmi Kessler, 1877: 59, pl. V, fig. 13; type locality: South Caspian Sea, south of Baku, Azerbaijan; lectotype: BMNH 1897.7. 5.15, paralectotypes: (7)? NMW 76987 (1), SPU 394 [465/412] (1), ZIN 10893 (1). Etymology: The specific name honors O. von Grimm, the Russian ichthyologist. Distribution and habitat: Western part of the Middle Caspian Sea and the northwest South Caspian Sea from Chechen Island (Russia) to south of Apsheron Peninsula, Azerbaijan (Fig. 11A). Eurybathic, found over a considerable depth range, from 2–227 m under pleio-mesohaline conditions. It reportedly does not enter rivers (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). No confirmed records from Iran. IUCN: DD (Bogutskaya 2020d)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on pages 166-167, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Kessler, K. T. (1877) The Aralo - Caspian Expedition. IV. Fishes of the Aralo - Caspio - Pontine Ichthyological Region. Naturgeschichte der Fische Islands, St. Petersburg, 360 pp.","Boldyrev, V. S. & Bogutskaya, N. G. (2007) Revision of the tadpole-gobies of the genus Benthophilus (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 18, 31 - 96.","Bogutskaya, N. (2020 d) Benthophilus grimmi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2020, e. T 156756575 A 156756602. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2020 - 3. RLTS. T 156756575 A 156756602. en"]}

38. Rhinogobius sp. (Fig. 35) Distribution and habitat: Introduced in the Hari River, South Caspian Sea, Namak, Urmia and Tigris River basins. Lives exclusively in freshwater habitats. The population that settled in Iran also has penetrated into Azerbaijan and Georgia, and likely occurs in Armenian and the Black Sea basin (but currently is unverified; Zarei et al. 2021). Remarks: The species identification of introduced Rhinogobius samples into Iran, Central Asia and the Caucasus, has been debated. Abdoli et al. (2000), and Coad & Abdoli (2000) provisionally identified the Hari River basin (Iran) samples as R. similis Gill, 1859 and considered them conspecific with the species collected in the Kara-Kum Canal, Turkmenistan. They considered this an accidental introduction from the eastern Asian Amur River basin into Iran via the Tedzhen/Hari River, although R. similis is more widely distributed. Vasil’eva & Kuga (2008) regarded the Rhinogobius introduced to Central Asia as R. cheni (Nichols, 1931), a Chinese species of the Yangtze River drainage. After re-description of R. similis by Suzuki et al. (2016), Sadeghi et al. (2019) confirmed that the Iranian samples differed from R. cheni and R. similis, and identified it R. lindbergi Berg, 1933, the northernmost species of the genus described from Russia (Amur and Ussuri Rivers). Rhinogobius taxonomy however, has undergone considerable confusion; and molecular and morphological phylogenetic studies have targeted only a small set of species. Molecular data by Zarei et al. (2021) provided new information about the Iranian and the Caucasian Rhinogobius samples: (i) indicating that they share a mitochondrial DNA COI haplotype and likely are a single species; (ii) this supports their taxonomic recognition by Sadeghi et al. (2019), indicating that the Iranian and Caucasian samples do not belong to R. similis; and (iii) that they likely belong to the R. brunneus species complex, which was (prior to introductions) primarily endemic to Japan. Zarei et al. (2021) did not include autochthonous R. lindbergi in their analysis; however, allozyme comparisons with seven Japanese congeners by Sakai et al. (2000) indicate that R. lindbergi is only distantly related to these Japanese congeners. Therefore, the species identity of the Iranian, Central Asian and Caucasian samples of Rhinogobius is currently ambiguous. Accordingly, Zarei et al. (2021) and the present study here identify these samples only to the genus level. Material examined: ZM-CBSU S015 & ZM-CBSU F72, 56, Anzali Wetland, Gilan Province, Iran., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on pages 182-183, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Zarei, F., Esmaeili, H. R., Schliewen, U. K., Abbasi, K. & Sayyadzadeh, G. (2021) Mitochondrial phylogeny, diversity, and ichthyogeography of gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the oldest and deepest Caspian sub-basin and tracing source and spread pattern of an introduced Rhinogobius species at the tricontinental crossroad. Hydrobiologia, 848, 1267 - 1293. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / s 10750 - 021 - 04521 - 0","Abdoli, A., Coad, B. W. & Naderi, M. (2000) First record of Rhinogobius similis, Gill 1895 in Iran. Iranian Scientific Fisheries Journal, 9, 73 - 76.","Vasil'eva, E. D. & Kuga, T. I. (2008) Gobies of the genus Rhinogobius (Gobiidae) of Primorye and water bodies of Central Asia and Kazakhstan: II. Comparative craniological analysis of gobies introduced to Central Asia. Journal of Ichthyology, 48, 29 - 36. https: // doi. org / 10.1134 / S 0032945208010037","Suzuki, T., Shibukawa, K., Senou, H. & Chen, I. - S. (2016) Redescription of Rhinogobius similis Gill 1859 (Gobiidae: Gobionellinae), the type species of the genus Rhinogobius Gill 1859, with designation of the neotype. Ichthyological Research, 63, 227 - 238. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / s 10228 - 015 - 0494 - 3","Sadeghi, R., Esmaeili, H. R., Zarei, F., Esmaeili, A. & Abbasi, K. (2019) The taxonomic status of an introduced freshwater goby of the genus Rhinogobius to Iran (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Zoology in the Middle East, 65, 51 - 58. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 09397140.2018.1540149","Sakai, H., Ikoma, K., Frolov, S. V., Yamazaki, Y., Takahashi, H. & Ida, H. (2000) Morphological features of a Russian freshwater goby, Rhinogobius lindbergi (Pisces: Gobiidae), and its genetic relationships to Japanese species. Biogeography, 2, 51 - 61."]}

3. Benthophiloides brauneri Beling & Iljin, 1927 , Brauner’s Tadpole Goby Benthophibides brauneri Beling & Iljin, 1927: 309, 319, figs. l, 2, 5–8; type locality: lower Dnieper River between Cherson (= Kherson) and Kakhovka and the southern Bug River between Novaya Odessa and Nikolaev (= Mikolev), Ukraine; types: Beling & Iljin (1927) described it from a total of 37 syntypes (ZISP 21989). ZISP 15134, from the Apsheron Peninsula, Caspian Sea, was noted by these authors but not included in the type material. Etymology: Named for A. Brauner, who first recorded it from the Dnieper River (Brauner 1898), but misidentified it as Gobiosoma caspium Kessler, 1877 due to their similar color patterns with dark banding (Beling & Iljin 1927). Distribution and habitat: Black and Caspian seas. Originally reported from the lower Dnieper and Bug rivers, and the Black Sea basin (Beling & Iljin 1927). Absent from the Sea of Azov. Beling & Iljin (1927) identified as B. brauneri a specimen in the ZISP from the Apsheron Peninsula, near Baku (Azerbaijan) in the Caspian Sea (Fig. 8A). This record was accepted by Berg (1949). There seem to be no further records of this species from the Caspian Sea and its occurrence in the basin merits further investigation. There is a possibility that the locality attributed to the Apsheron specimen is erroneous. It has been recorded in fresh to slightly brackish (oligohaline) waters, typically at 5–15 m depth (Pinchuk & Miller 2004b). IUCN: DD (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008b).

22. Knipowitschia caucasica (Berg, 1916) (Fig. 17), Caucasian Dwarf Goby Pomatoschistus caucasicus Berg, 1916: 409; type locality: swamp near Batum and Inkit Lake near Pitsunda, Georgia (Black Sea basin); syntypes: BMNH 1896.3.28.26-28 [ex Tiflis Mus.] (3). Etymology: Refers to its discovery on the Black Sea Caucasian coast of Georgia. Distribution and habitat: A widespread Ponto-Caspian species, also recorded in the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Miller et al. 2004). Widespread in the Caspian Sea basin (Fig. 16B), Sea of Azov and Black Sea basins, and also introduced in the Aral Sea, in addition it is found outside this region, in the Aegean and eastern Ionian catchments and transitional waters. Euryhaline, in fresh to markedly hypersaline waters, typically in weedy shallows or near reed beds on finer substrates (Miller et al. 2004). Remarks: A preliminary phylogeographic analysis by Zarei et al. (2021) has identified four apparently allopatric lineages having low genetic exchange, including: (i) the Aegean Sea basin (Greece) lineage with little population substructure, (ii) the Axios (Greece) lineage, (iii) a lineage from Rihios and Volvi (Greece) and the Black Sea basin, and (iv) the South Caspian Sea sub-basin lineage. Average pairwise genetic distances between these lineages varied from 1.0–2.2% (Zarei et al. 2021). Material examined: ZM-CBSU S010, 6, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S039, 63, Anzali Wetland; ZM-CBSU S053, 74, Bojagh National Park; ZM-CBSU S056, 7, coastal waters of Gilan Province, Iran; ZM-CBSU S079, 4, Aras River Dam, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008g)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 171, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Zarei, F., Esmaeili, H. R., Schliewen, U. K., Abbasi, K. & Sayyadzadeh, G. (2021) Mitochondrial phylogeny, diversity, and ichthyogeography of gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the oldest and deepest Caspian sub-basin and tracing source and spread pattern of an introduced Rhinogobius species at the tricontinental crossroad. Hydrobiologia, 848, 1267 - 1293. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / s 10750 - 021 - 04521 - 0","Freyhof, J. & Kottelat, M. (2008 g) Knipowitschia caucasica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2008, e. T 11030 A 3240732. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2008. RLTS. T 11030 A 3240732. en"]}

18. Benthophilus ragimovi Boldyrev & Bogutskaya, 2004 , Ragimov’s Tadpole Goby Benthophilus ragimovi Boldyrev & Bogutskaya, 2004: 132, fig. 2; type locality: between Yasma and Kilyazi, Azerbaijan, depth 50 m; holotype: ZIN 53216, male, 67.8 mm SL, paratypes: ZIAZ 93 (8). 467 (6); ZIN 23126 (3), 53217 (1), 53218 (7), 53219 (4), plus additional non-type material. Etymology: Named after D. B. Ragimov, an authority of Caspian Sea gobiid fishes. Distribution and habitat: West coast of the Middle and South Caspian Sea from Chechen Island (Russia) south to the Astara region (Azerbaijan) (Fig. 11C). No records from Iran, but based on geographic proximity to its recording site in Azerbaijan (Astara), we predict its presence in the coastal waters of Gilan. Occurs at salinities 11.0–13.2 ‰. A deep water species (depths 30–200 m), spawning at 10–20 m (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2021)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Boldyrev, V. S. & Bogutskaya, N. G. (2007) Revision of the tadpole-gobies of the genus Benthophilus (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 18, 31 - 96.","Bogutskaya, N. (2021) Benthophilus ragimovi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2021, e. T 159639612 A 159639639. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2021 - 1. RLTS. T 159639612 A 159639639. en"]}

Ponticola Iljin, 1927 (7 species) Etymology: Greek, Pontikos = pertaining to Pontos “the Black Sea and the regions around it”., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 176, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060

27. Neogobius caspius (Eichwald, 1831) (Fig. 23), Caspian Goby Gobius caspius Eichwald, 1831: 76; type locality: Baku, Azerbaijan, Caspian Sea; types: no types known. Etymology: The species name caspius refers to its occurrence in the Caspian Sea. Distribution and habitat: Present in all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 22B). Inhabits pleio-mesohaline brackish waters, and does not enter rivers (Pinchuk & Miller 2003b). Material examined: ZM-CBSU S030, 15, off Astara; ZM-CBSU S034, 96, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S047, 16, Shalmanroud mouth; & ZM-CBSU S057, 3, Sefidroud mouth, Gilan Province, Iran; ZM-CBSU S062, 1, off Babolsar; ZM-CBSU S068 & ZM-CBSU S069, 9, off Neka; & ZM-CBSU S070, 10, off Miankaleh, Mazandaran Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020k)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 175, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Pinchuk, V. I. & Miller, P. J. (2003 b) Neogobius caspius (Eichwald, 1831). In: Miller, P. J. (Ed.), The Freshwater Fishes of Europe. Vol. 8 / I Mugilidae, Atherinidae, Atherinopsidae, Blenniidae, Odontobutidae, Gobiidae 1. AULA-Verlag GmbH, Verlag fur Wissenschaft und Forschung, Wiebelsheim, pp. 173 - 180.","Bogutskaya, N. (2020 k) Neogobius caspius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2020, e. T 156761995 A 156762095. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2020 - 3. RLTS. T 156761995 A 156762095. en"]}

7. Benthophilus ctenolepidus Kessler, 1877 , Spiny-scaled Tadpole Goby Benthophilus ctenolepidus Kessler, 1877: 48, fig. 11; type locality: southern Caspian Sea, south of Baku, Azerbaijan; lectotype: ZIN 10897, paralectotypes: (4) BMNH 1897.7.5.13 [ex ZIN] (1), ZIN (lost). Etymology: Greek, ctenos = comb + Greek, lepis = scale, refers to the arrangement of spines edging the bony tubercles in the skin. Distribution and habitat: South Caspian Sea (Fig. 8C): southeastern part, Gorgan Bay and off Zelenyy Bugor and Belyy Bugor (Turkmenistan), and along the western coast from the Apsheron Peninsula south to the Astara region of Azerbaijan (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). Abbasi (2017) listed it in the coastal waters of Gilan, and maps in Pinchuk & Miller (2004c), and Boldyrev & Bogutskaya (2007) show it along the Iranian coast. Occurring in salinities up to 12.4–13.0 ‰. Eurybathic, spawns and forages in warm seasons at depths from 0.5–10 m, migrating in winter to depths of 20–60 m (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020c)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 165, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Kessler, K. T. (1877) The Aralo - Caspian Expedition. IV. Fishes of the Aralo - Caspio - Pontine Ichthyological Region. Naturgeschichte der Fische Islands, St. Petersburg, 360 pp.","Boldyrev, V. S. & Bogutskaya, N. G. (2007) Revision of the tadpole-gobies of the genus Benthophilus (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 18, 31 - 96.","Abbasi, K. (2017) Fishes of Guilan. Iliya Culture Publication, Rasht, 208 pp. [in Persian]","Pinchuk, V. I. & Miller, P. J. (2004 c) Benthophilus ctenolepidus Kessler, 1877. In: Miller, P. J. (Ed.), The Freshwater Fishes of Europe Vol. 8 / II Gobiidae 2. AULA-Verlag GmbH, Verlag fur Wissenschaft und Forschung, Wiebelsheim, pp. 187 - 191.","Bogutskaya, N. (2020 c) Benthophilus ctenolepidus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2020, e. T 156755702 A 156755728. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2020 - 3. RLTS. T 156755702 A 156755728. en"]}

32. Ponticola gorlap (Iljin, 1949) (Fig. 29), Caspian Bighead Goby Neogobius kessleri gorlap Iljin in Berg, 1949: 1087; type locality: Caspian Sea and tributary rivers; types: no type material exists. The original description by Berg (1949) was based on information supplied by B. S. Iljin in a 1941 manuscript which is now lost. Etymology: The species name gorlap likely is derived from a local term. Distribution and habitat: Present in all three areas of the Caspian Sea and entering various freshwaters of the Caspian drainage. A bottom-living euryhaline fish found in brackish inshore habitats (usually from 0.5–10 m in depth, and rarely 10–20 m) and a wide range of freshwater habitats in the Caspian Sea (Vasil’eva & Vasil’ev 2003b; Zarei et al. 2021) (Fig. 27B). Material examined: ZM-CBSU S040 & ZM-CBSU S076, 2, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S042 & ZM-CBSU S096, 60, Siahdarvishan River; ZM-CBSU S045, 9, Shafaroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S050, 4, Oshmakroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S060, 53, Sefidroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S060.3, 5, Sefidroud at Keysum; ZM-CBSU S077, 1, off Kiashahr; ZM-CBSU S078, 2, Anzali Wetland; ZM-CBSU S082, 1, off Astara; ZM-CBSU S093, 30, Sefidroud at Imamzadehashem; ZM-CBSU S094 & ZM-CBSU S095, 150, Chalvand River; ZM-CBSU S097, Sefidroud at Koucheasfahan, Gilan Province, Iran; ZM-CBSU S041, 64, Babolroud; ZM-CBSU S065 -S067, 6, Neka; ZM-CBSU S098, 60, Neka River (Nekaroud), Mazandaran Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008k)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on pages 178-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Berg, L. S. (1949) Freshwater Fishes of the USSR and Adjacent Countries. Vol. III. Program for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem, 250 pp.","Vasil'eva, E. D. & Vasil'ev, V. P. (2003 b) Neogobius gorlap Iljin in Berg, 1949. In: Miller, P. J. (Ed.), The Freshwater Fishes of Europe. Vol. 8 / I Mugilidae, Atherinidae, Atherinopsidae, Blenniidae, Odontobutidae, Gobiidae 1. AULA-Verlag GmbH, Verlag fur Wissenschaft und Forschung, Wiebelsheim, pp. 253 - 264.","Zarei, F., Esmaeili, H. R., Schliewen, U. K., Abbasi, K. & Sayyadzadeh, G. (2021) Mitochondrial phylogeny, diversity, and ichthyogeography of gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the oldest and deepest Caspian sub-basin and tracing source and spread pattern of an introduced Rhinogobius species at the tricontinental crossroad. Hydrobiologia, 848, 1267 - 1293. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / s 10750 - 021 - 04521 - 0","Freyhof, J. & Kottelat, M. (2008 k) Ponticola gorlap. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2008, e. T 188114 A 8642335. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2008. RLTS. T 188114 A 8642335. en"]}

1. Anatirostrum profundorum (Berg, 1927) (Fig. 7), Duckbilled Tadpole Goby Benthophilus profundorum Berg, 1927: 335, figs. 5–8; type locality: South Caspian Sea at 37°58’N, 52°22’E; syntypes: ZIN 23134 (14). Etymology: Latin, profundus = deep, refers to its capture in deep water. Distribution and habitat: South Caspian Sea (Fig. 8A), off the coasts of Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. Records are from 45–294 m depth (Ahnelt et al. 2000). Material examined: ZM-CBSU S021-1, 1, off Chaboksar, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Mamilov 2020a). Babka Iljin, 1927 (1 species), Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 163, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Berg, L. S. (1927) Notes on the Caspian Benthophilus (Gobiidae). In: Festschrift fur Prof. N. M. Knipowitsch 1885 - 1925. s. n., Moskwa, pp. 331 - 344.","Ahnelt, H., Abdoli, A., Naderi, M. & Coad, B. W. (2000) Anatirostrum profundorum: a rare deep-water gobiid species from the Caspian Sea. Cybium, 24, 139 - 159.","Mamilov, N. (2020 a) Anatirostrum profundorum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2020, e. T 156754995 A 156755086. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2020 - 3. RLTS. T 156754995 A 156755086. en"]}

30. Ponticola cyrius (Kessler, 1874) (Fig. 26), Kura Goby Gobius cyrius Kessler, 1874: 273; type locality: Kura River near Borzhomi, Georgia; lectotype: ZISP 2235. Etymology: The species name cyrius means “relating to the River Kura” in Latin. Distribution: The upper and middle courses of the Kura River basin, the South Caspian Sea sub-basin drainage (Fig. 27A) (Vasil’eva & Vasil’ev 2003a). No confirmed records from Iran. Remarks: Specimens previously identified by Ahnelt & Holčik (1996) as P. cyrius and P. iljini from Iranian rivers are conspecific with P. patimari and P. gorlap, respectively (Zarei et al. 2021, 2022b). In Iran, it also may be present in the Aras River (= Araks River), which flows into the Kura River in Azerbaijan. Therefore, a detailed morphological and molecular analysis of Ponticola specimens from Aras should be undertaken. Material examined: PMR VP1691, 3, Hanak, Kura River drainage basin, northeastern Turkey. IUCN: LC (Freyhof 2014)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on pages 176-177, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Kessler, K. F. (1874) A description of fishes belonging to the families common to both the Black and the Caspian seas. Travaux de la Societe des Naturalistes de St. Petersbourg, 5, 191 - 324. [in French]","Vasil'eva, E. D. & Vasil'ev, V. P. (2003 a) Neogobius cyrius (Kessler, 1874). In: Miller, P. J. (Ed.), The Freshwater Fishes of Europe. Vol. 8 / I Mugilidae, Atherinidae, Atherinopsidae, Blenniidae, Odontobutidae, Gobiidae 1. AULA-Verlag GmbH, Verlag fur Wissenschaft und Forschung, Wiebelsheim, pp. 203 - 211.","Ahnelt, H. & Holcik, J. (1996) Distribution of two species of the genus Neogobius (Pisces: Gobiidae) in the catchment area of the southern Caspian Sea. Acta Universitatis Carolinae Biologica, 40, 99 - 114.","Zarei, F., Esmaeili, H. R., Schliewen, U. K., Abbasi, K. & Sayyadzadeh, G. (2021) Mitochondrial phylogeny, diversity, and ichthyogeography of gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the oldest and deepest Caspian sub-basin and tracing source and spread pattern of an introduced Rhinogobius species at the tricontinental crossroad. Hydrobiologia, 848, 1267 - 1293. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / s 10750 - 021 - 04521 - 0","Zarei, F., Esmaeili, H. R., Sadeghi, R., Schliewen, U. K., Kovacic, M., Abbasi, K. & Gholamhosseini, A. (2022 b) An integrative insight into the diversity, distribution and biogeography of the freshwater endemic clade of the Ponticola syrman group (Teleostei: Gobiidae) in the Caucasus biodiversity hotspot. Ecology & Evolution, 12. https: // doi. org / 10.1002 / ece 3.9300","Freyhof, J. (2014) Ponticola cyrius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2014, e. T 19513722 A 19849649. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2014 - 1. RLTS. T 19513722 A 19849649. en"]}

10. Benthophilus kessleri Berg, 1927 , Kessler’s Tadpole Goby Benthophilus grimmi var. kessleri Berg, 1927: 343; type locality: Caspian Sea, 41°51’N; 2°15’E of Baku, depth 75 m; lectotype: ZISP [= ZIN] 53670 [ex 24349], paralectotypes: (10) ZIN 24349 (now 6). Etymology: Named for K.F. Kessler, the nineteenth century investigator of Ponto-Caspian fishes. Distribution and habitat: Coastal waters of the eastern Middle Caspian Sea from Urdyuk Cape south to Kuuli Cape and Krasnovodsk, northeastern South Caspian Sea (Fig. 11B). Reported from 25–74 m depth and 11.5– 13.2 ‰ salinity (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020e)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 167, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Berg, L. S. (1927) Notes on the Caspian Benthophilus (Gobiidae). In: Festschrift fur Prof. N. M. Knipowitsch 1885 - 1925. s. n., Moskwa, pp. 331 - 344.","Boldyrev, V. S. & Bogutskaya, N. G. (2007) Revision of the tadpole-gobies of the genus Benthophilus (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 18, 31 - 96.","Bogutskaya, N. (2020 e) Benthophilus kessleri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2020, e. T 156756692 A 156756750. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2020 - 3. RLTS. T 156756692 A 156756750. en"]}

4. Benthophiloides turcomanus (Iljin, 1941) , Turkmen Goby Asra turcomanus Iljin, 1941: 384, 388, figs. 1–4: type locality: South Caspian Sea, off Chikishlar [Chikishlyar], 37°45.5’ N 53°47’ E. 9.3 m; southwest of Ulsky Bank, 38°05’ N 52°34’ E, depth 26.5 m, Turkmenistan; types: a holotype was not designated, and both syntypes (1 juvenile, 1 male) appear to have been lost. Etymology: The species name turcomanus refers to its capture off the coast of Turkmenistan. Distribution and habitat: The two syntypes were collected in offshore waters of the South Caspian Sea in 1935, from stations 8 miles north of Chikishlyar (depth 9.3 m) and 29 miles southwest of the Ulsky bank, depth 26.5 m (Fig. 8A) (Iljin 1941). We discerned no additional records of this species. IUCN: DD (Mamilov 2020b)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 164, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Iljin, B. S. (1941) Asra turcomanus, a new genus and species of gobies (Gobiidae) from the Caspian Sea. Biology Bulletin of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, 3, 385 - 390.","Mamilov, N. (2020 b) Benthophiloides turcomanus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2020, e. T 156755140 A 156755201. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2020 - 3. RLTS. T 156755140 A 156755201. en"]}

34. Ponticola iranicus Vasil’eva, Mousavi-Sabet & Vasil’ev, 2015 (Fig. 31), Iranian Goby Ponticola iranicus Vasil’eva, Mousavi-Sabet & Vasil’ev, 2015: 191, figs. 2–4; type locality: upper Sefidroud River basin, Tutkabon Stream, 36°50.756’N, 49°35.021’E; holotype: ZMMU P-23677, female, 81 mm TL, 68 mm SL, paratypes: ZMMU P-23678 (9), additional material: ZMMU P-23679 (5), ZMMU P-23680 (10), GUIC POI-AM (7), VMFC POI-P (12). Etymology. Named for Iran. Distribution and habitat: Endemic to the upper Sefidroud drainage basin of the South Caspian Sea sub-basin drainage (Fig. 27A) (Zarei et al. 2022b). Remarks: Zarei et al. (2022b) assessed taxonomic diversity, phylogeography and evolutionary history for the south Caspian populations of Ponticola that were previously classified as P. iranicus and P. patimari, using an integrative taxonomic approach comprising entire geographic range sampling, and analyses of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes, the head lateral line system, otolith shape, and meristic and morphometric variation. They confirmed the presence of two freshwater endemic species in the P. syrman group (i.e., P. iranicus and P. patimari), and pending further investigation, hypothesized a possible third cryptic species. Zarei et al. (2022b) revised the distributional range of P. iranicus and P. patimari, documenting a narrow distributional range and low genetic diversity of P. iranicus, in contrast to the wider distributional range and high genetic diversity of P. patimari (Fig. 27A). Material examined: ZM-CBSU S087 & ZM-CBSU S061, 33, Sefidroud at Imamzadehashem, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: NE., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 180, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Vasil'eva, E. D., Mousavi-Sabet, H. & Vasil'ev, V. P. (2015) Ponticola iranicus sp. nov. (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the Caspian Sea basin. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria, 45, 189 - 197. https: // doi. org / 10.3750 / AIP 2015.45.2.09","Zarei, F., Esmaeili, H. R., Sadeghi, R., Schliewen, U. K., Kovacic, M., Abbasi, K. & Gholamhosseini, A. (2022 b) An integrative insight into the diversity, distribution and biogeography of the freshwater endemic clade of the Ponticola syrman group (Teleostei: Gobiidae) in the Caucasus biodiversity hotspot. Ecology & Evolution, 12. https: // doi. org / 10.1002 / ece 3.9300"]}

36. Ponticola syrman (Nordmann, 1840) (Fig. 33), Syrman Goby Gobius syrman Nordmann, 1840: 419, pl. 12, fig. 1; type locality: Odessa, Dniester River estuary, Black Sea, Ukraine; types: syntypes are believed to be represented by BMNH 1872.5.30.35, MNHN A. 1126 (both from Odessa), and NMW 30099. Etymology: Derived from a local name, syrman, used for another Ponticola species, P. cephalargoides. Distribution and habitat: Coastal waters of the Black, Azov, and Caspian seas (Fig. 27D). In the Caspian Sea basin, it is widely distributed in all three areas of the Caspian Sea, but is believed to be absent from freshwaters, except in the Emba River, Kazakhstan (Pinchuk et al. 2003b). Material examined: ZM-CBSU S092, 6, off Anzali, Gilan Province; and ZM-CBSU S065.2-1, 1, off Neka, Mazandaran Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008l)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 181, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Freyhof, J. & Kottelat, M. (2008 l) Ponticola syrman. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2008, e. T 188116 A 8643348. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2008. RLTS. T 188116 A 8643348. en"]}

29. Neogobius pallasi (Berg, 1916) (Fig. 25), Caspian Sand Goby Gobius fluviatilis pallasi Berg, 1916: 417; type locality: Caspian Sea, mouths of Ural and Volga; syntypes: ZISP 2195, 2204, 23137, 30729, 30736, 30738, 30919, 30920, 30924-26, 33182, 34276 & 34277. Etymology: Named after P. S. Pallas, Prussian zoologist and botanist. Distribution and habitat: Caspian Sea coastal waters and river mouths (Fig. 22D). Present in all three areas of the Caspian Sea and entering various river mouths of the Caspian Sea drainage. In the South Caspian Sea present only in the northwestern part, according to Pinchuk et al. (2003c). However, distributions based on the present material extends its South Caspian Sea range to the east at Miankaleh. Remarks: Gobius fluviatilis Pallas, 1814 was originally described in part from near the mouths of rivers falling into the Black Sea and similarly the Caspian Sea. Neogobius fluviatilis pallasi (Berg, 1916) was the subspecies described in the Caspian Sea basin. Kottelat & Freyhof (2007) recognized N. pallasi as the Caspian Sea species and restricted N. fluviatilis to the Black Sea basin. This taxonomic decision was later confirmed by molecular data (Neilson & Stepien 2011). Material examined: ZM-CBSU S049, 10, & ZM-CBSU S048, 35, Shalmanroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S032, 78, off Astara; ZM-CBSU S013, 1, & S033, 215, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S058, 3, Sefidroud mouth, Gilan Province, Iran; ZM-CBSU S071, 2, off Miankaleh, Mazandaran Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008j)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 176, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Pinchuk, V. I., Vasil'eva, E. D., Vasil'ev, V. P. & Miller, P. J. (2003 c) Neogobius fluviatilis (Pallas, 1814). In: Miller, P. J. (Ed.), The Freshwater Fishes of Europe. Vol. 8 / I Mugilidae, Atherinidae, Atherinopsidae, Blenniidae, Odontobutidae, Gobiidae 1. AULA-Verlag GmbH, Verlag fur Wissenschaft und Forschung, Wiebelsheim, pp. 222 - 252.","Kottelat, M. & Freyhof, J. (2007) Handbook of European Freshwater Fishes. Kottelat, Cornol, Switzerland & Freyhof, Berlin, Germany.","Neilson, M. E. & Stepien, C. A. (2011) Historic speciation and recent colonization of Eurasian monkey gobies (Neogobius fluviatilis and N. pallasi) revealed by DNA sequences, microsatellites, and morphology. Diversity and Distributions, 17, 688 - 702. https: // doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1472 - 4642.2011.00762. x","Freyhof, J. & Kottelat, M. (2008 j) Neogobius pallasi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2008, e. T 135596 A 4156361. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2008. RLTS. T 135596 A 4156361. en"]}

23. Knipowitschia iljini Berg, 1931 (Fig. 18), Iljin’s Dwarf Goby Knipowitschia iljini Berg, 1931: 1271, fig. 1–2, pl. I; type locality: Middle Caspian Sea; syntypes: ZIN 22052 (65), 24370 (16),?24424 (6+). Etymology: Named for B. S. Iljin, Russian ichthyologist. Distribution and habitat: The coastal waters of all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 16C). Ragimov (1965) reported this species from between Kultuk and Astara region of Azerbaijan and generally in the Middle and South Caspian Sea; It was mapped around the coast of the entire Caspian Sea by Miller & Pinchuk (2004b). Listed by Abbasi (2017) in the coastal waters of Gilan Province in Iran. Benthic and also collected in the water column above the bottom. Shallower coastal areas (20–70 m), but also found farther offshore, from 40–500 m (Miller & Pinchuk 2004b). Does not enter freshwaters (Miller & Pinchuk 2004b). Material examined: ZM-CBSU S104, 7, off Anzali, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: DD (Larson 2019a)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 172, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Ragimov, D. B. (1965) On the distribution of gobiids at the western coast of the central and southern Caspian. Doklady Akademii Nauk Azerbaijanskoy SSSR, 21, 47 - 50. [in Russian]","Pinchuk, V. I. & Miller, P. J. (2004 b) Benthophiloides brauneri Beling & Iljin, 1927. In: Miller, P. J. (Ed.), The Freshwater Fishes of Europe Vol. 8 / II Gobiidae 2. AULA-Verlag GmbH, Verlag fur Wissenschaft und Forschung, Wiebelsheim, pp. 153 - 159.","Abbasi, K. (2017) Fishes of Guilan. Iliya Culture Publication, Rasht, 208 pp. [in Persian]","Larson, H. (2019 a) Knipowitschia iljini. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2019, e. T 123435142 A 123494817. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2019 - 3. RLTS. T 123435142 A 123494817. en"]}

21. Hyrcanogobius bergi Iljin, 1928 (Fig. 15), Berg’s Goby Hyrcanogobius bergi Iljin, 1928: 44, figs. 7–11; type locality: North Caspian Sea, near the mouths of the Volga, Ural, and Emba rivers, Russia and Kazakhstan; syntypes: ZIN 25417 (5), Volga. Etymology: Named after L. S. Berg, Russian ichthyologist. Distribution and habitat: The coastal waters of all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 16A). Gobius longecaudatus var. “c” Kessler, 1877 described from Baku Bay (Azerbaijan) is a synonym (Miller & Pinchuk 2004a). Its records are from the western coasts of the North and western Middle Caspian Sea (in Russia) and the eastern South Caspian Sea (Miller & Pinchuk 2004a), also from the western South Caspian Sea (this study). Shakirova & Sukhanova (1994) also record this species from the Atrek lakes of Turkmenistan. Semi-pelagic and also benthic in inshore waters, inhabiting euryhaline to freshwaters (Miller & Pinchuk 2004a). In Iran, this species was recorded by us in the coastal waters off Astara. Material examined: ZM-CBSU S017-3, 34, & ZM-CBSU S085, 5, off Astara, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Freyhof 2020)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Iljin, B. S. (1928) Two new genera and a new species of Gobiidae from the Caspian sea. Reports of the Astrakhan Scientific Fishery Station, 3, 1 - 13.","Kessler, K. T. (1877) The Aralo - Caspian Expedition. IV. Fishes of the Aralo - Caspio - Pontine Ichthyological Region. Naturgeschichte der Fische Islands, St. Petersburg, 360 pp.","Pinchuk, V. I. & Miller, P. J. (2004 a) Anatirostrum profundorum (Berg, 1927). In: Miller, P. J. (Ed.), The Freshwater Fishes of Europe Vol. 8 / II Gobiidae 2. AULA-Verlag GmbH, Verlag fur Wissenschaft und Forschung, Wiebelsheim, pp. 274 - 278.","Shakirova, F. M. & Sukhanova, A. I. (1994) Iktiofauna Turkmenistana (sostav i rasprostranenie). Izvestiya Akademii Nauk Turkmenistana, Seriya Biologicheskikh Nauk, 3, 35 - 45. [in Russian]","Freyhof, J. (2020) Knipowitschia bergi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2020, e. T 135608 A 137270791. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2020 - 3. RLTS. T 135608 A 137270791. en"]}

Neogobius Iljin, 1927 (4 species) Etymology: Greek, neos = new + Latin, gobius = gudgeon., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 174, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060

26. Neogobius bathybius (Kessler, 1877) (Fig. 21), Deepwater Goby Gobius bathybius, Kessler, 1877: 17, pl. 1 (fig. 3); type locality: Svinoi Island, south of Baku, Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, depth 756 feet; types: type material of Gobius bathybius appears to be missing from the collection of St Petersburg State University. Etymology: Greek, bathus = deep, refers to capture of the holotype in deep waters. Distribution and habitat: Present in all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 22A). No records appear to exist from the east coast of the Middle Caspian Sea. A relatively deep water species found under pleio-mesohaline conditions and known from depths to 75 m and may occur deeper (Pinchuk et al. 2004b). Does not enter rivers (Pinchuk et al. 2004b). Remarks: Formerly in the genus Chasar Vasil’eva, 1996. Neilson & Stepien (2009) included Gobius bathybius in the genus Ponticola because they then lacked access to specimens of bathybius. Molecular data by Zarei et al. (2021) and by Tajbakhsh et al. (2022) have provided support for its reclassification in the genus Neogobius. DNA sequence data analysis by Tajbakhsk et al. (2022) indicated that there is a single population of N. bathybius across the Southern Caspian Sea. Material examined: ZM-CBSU S063, 3, off Babolsar, & ZM-CBSU S064, 1, off Neka, Mazandaran Province, Iran; ZM-CBSU A256 - A297, 36, off Kiashahr, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020l)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 174, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Kessler, K. T. (1877) The Aralo - Caspian Expedition. IV. Fishes of the Aralo - Caspio - Pontine Ichthyological Region. Naturgeschichte der Fische Islands, St. Petersburg, 360 pp.","Neilson, M. E. & Stepien, C. A. (2009) Escape from the Ponto-Caspian: evolution and biogeography of an endemic goby species flock (Benthophilinae: Gobiidae: Teleostei). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 52, 84 - 102. https: // doi. org / 10.1016 / j. ympev. 2008.12.023","Zarei, F., Esmaeili, H. R., Schliewen, U. K., Abbasi, K. & Sayyadzadeh, G. (2021) Mitochondrial phylogeny, diversity, and ichthyogeography of gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the oldest and deepest Caspian sub-basin and tracing source and spread pattern of an introduced Rhinogobius species at the tricontinental crossroad. Hydrobiologia, 848, 1267 - 1293. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / s 10750 - 021 - 04521 - 0","Tajbakhsh, F., Rajabi-Maham, H., Abdoli, A., Stepien, C. A. & Kiabi, B. H. (2022) DNA sequence support for re-classification of the endemic south Caspian Sea deepwater goby as Neogobius bathybius (from Ponticola; Perciformes: Gobiidae) and recent population expansion of a continuous population. Ichthyology and Herpetology, 110, 13 - 21. https: // doi. org / 10.1643 / i 2020015","Bogutskaya, N. (2020 l) Ponticola bathybius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2020, e. T 156761759 A 156761841. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2020 - 3. RLTS. T 156761759 A 156761841. en"]}

A key to the native Gobiidae of the South Caspian Sea sub-basin 1a. head canals absent; no real scales on the body, the body naked or covered with bony tubercles and/or granules........... 2 1b. head canals present; body with ctenoid and/or cycloid scales.................................................. 20 2a. first dorsal fin with usually VI rays, the sixth ray at an increased distance from the fifth; body naked or partly covered with non-overlapping ctenoid scales.......................................................................... 3 2b. first dorsal fin with I–IV rays; body covered with bony tubercles and/or granules, naked only in sexually mature males..... 4 3a. coloration uniformly pale, living individuals almost transparent; no bands on the body; body naked; second dorsal branched rays 14; anal fin branched rays 11–12............................................... Benthophiloides turcomanus 3b. coloration brownish, living specimens normally pigmented; dark vertical or oblique bands on the body; immature individuals with small non-overlapping scales on the sides; second dorsal branched rays 11–13; anal fin branched rays 9–11........................................................................................... Benthophiloides brauneri 4a. head narrow (head width less than 55% of its length), snout elongate and duck-bill shaped; eight transverse suborbital rows of neuromasts, six in front of suborbital longitudinal row b; chin barbel absent; no dermal fold behind jaws................................................................................................ Anatirostrum profundorum 4b. head broad (head width more than 70% of its length); snout not elongate and duck-bill shaped; seven transverse suborbital rows of neuromasts, four in front of suborbital longitudinal row b; most species with chin barbel and dermal fold behind jaws... 5 5a. no tubercles; only densely-set bony plates of different size on head and body, embedded in skin and lacking apex, not arranged in regular rows....................................................................................... 6 5b. tubercles possessing distinct apex and not embedded in skin, arranged in 2 main and 1–2 additional longitudinal rows on each side of body........................................................................................ 10 6a. head with medial groove on temporal and occipital regions; thorny granules on rays of first dorsal fin.................. 7 6b. head not grooved; no thorny granules on rays of first dorsal fin................................................. 9 7a. second blotch circular; no enlarged bony plates in front of second dorsal fin....................... Benthophilus grimmi 7b. second blotch band-shaped, descending obliquely on flank; several enlarged flat bony plates at origin of second dorsal fin, each surrounded by smaller plates............................................................................ 8 8a. horizontal eye diameter, 12–16 % HL, less than interorbital distance, 16–21 % HL; periorbital row of enlarged granules along upper eye margin; no granules on eye................................................... Benthophilus svetovidovi 8b. horizontal eye diameter, 17–22 % HL, considerably larger than interorbital distance, 7–13 % HL; no periorbital row of enlarged granules; granules on eye present........................................................ Benthophilus kessleri 9a. no bony plates on belly and flanks; no dark blotches on body.............................. Benthophilus leptorhynchus 9b. bony plates on belly and flanks; three dark blotches on back................................ Benthophilus granulosus 10a. no tubercles on upper head surface or upper head tubercles present only on snout and between eyes................... 11 10b. tubercles on upper head surface present, including temporal and occipital regions................................. 15 11a. dorsal row of tubercles incomplete, starting at first dorsal-fin’s origin........................................... 12 11b. dorsal row of tubercles complete, starting just behind head................................................... 13 12a. dermal fold at angle of mouth well-developed........................................... Benthophilus ctenolepidus 12b. dermal fold at angle of mouth absent................................................. Benthophilus leptocephalus 13a. dorsal row of tubercles 22–29.......................................................... Benthophilus persicus 13b. dorsal row of tubercles 30–33.......................................................................... 14 14a. medial groove on head deep and well-developed on temporal and occipital regions; granules few and scattered, absent from medial groove; anterior-most tubercles of dorsal row of similar size as others in the row; ventrolateral row absent or with only few tiny tubercles.................................................................... Benthophilus pinchuki 14b. medial groove on head very shallow, if well-developed then only between eyes; granules densely-set on entire upper head surface including medial groove; several anterior-most tubercles of dorsal row smaller than following ones; ventrolateral row with 16–19 tiny tubercles.............................................................. Benthophilus ragimovi 15a. no medial temporal tubercle; dorsal row tubercles 11–24; ventral-row tubercles 9–20; total vertebrae 24–27, commonly 25–26; anal-fin segmented rays 5–7, commonly 6................................................................. 16 15b. medial temporal tubercle present; dorsal-row tubercles 23–31; ventral-row tubercles 19–26; total vertebrae 27–31; anal-fin segmented rays 6–10, commonly 7–9.................................................................... 17 16a. first dorsal-fin spines 0–II, commonly I; dorsal-row tubercles 11–16; ventral-row tubercles 9–13........ Benthophilus baeri 16b. first dorsal-fin spine II–IV, commonly III; dorsal-row tubercles 18–24; ventral-row tubercles 15–20... Benthophilus spinosus 17a. dark blotches on back absent or indistinct............................................ Benthophilus macrocephalus 17b. three distinct blotches along midline of back............................................................... 18 18a. medial groove on head; granules on head large (some of them almost of same size as nearby tubercles); head and dorsal-row tubercles flattened, rounded; spinules small, arranged in numerous radial rows covering entire surface of tubercles......................................................................................... Benthophilus casachicus 18b. no medial groove on head; granules on head tiny; head and dorsal-row tubercles markedly conical, polygonal; spinules small to large, arranged in one or two radial rows located only on posterior surface of tubercles........................... 19 19a. upper jaw projecting beyond lower jaw; small granules on upper eye surface; often two tubercles between eyes; precaudal vertebrae 10–11, commonly 11........................................................ Benthophilus leobergius 19b. upper jaw not projecting beyond lower jaw; no granules on upper eye surface; always one tubercle between eyes; precaudal vertebrae 9–10, commonly 9...................................................... Benthophilus mahmudbejovi 20a. second dorsal fin branched rays 6–11; suborbital longitudinal row a present; anterior oculoscapular canal with paired pore λ present or absent, no pore σ;............................................................................ 21 20b. second dorsal fin branched rays 14–20; suborbital longitudinal row a absent; anterior oculoscapular canal not shortened anteriorly: pore λ single and a paired pore σ in front of it on the snout........................................... 24 21a. transverse postorbital row tra long, extending downwards to or near the suborbital longitudinal row b; interorbital papillae present.............................................................................. Hyrcanogobius bergi 21b. transverse postorbital row tra short, behind pore α, ending downwards far from the suborbital longitudinal row b; interorbital papillae absent, even if anterior oculoscapular canal ends at paired pore κ (in some Knipowitschia caucasica and Knipowitschia iljini).............................................................................................. 22 22a. anterior oculoscapular canal not uniting in posterior interorbit, pore κ double; canals anterior to pores κ typically absent; preopercular canal commonly absent....................................................... Knipowitschia iljini 22b. anterior oculoscapular canal uniting in posterior interorbit, with one pore κ; canals anterior to pore κ present, extending anteriorly to pores λ (anterior oculoscapular canal reduced with no paired pore λ only very rarely in Knipowitschia caucasica and only from the Aegean Anatolian area of the Mediterranean Sea); preopercular canal present...................... 23 23a. posterior oculoscapular canal present................................................... Knipowitschia caucasica 23b. posterior oculoscapular canal absent................................................ Knipowitschia longecaudata 24a. anterior nostril an elongate tube, extending beyond upper lip; scales of the lateral row 36–48......... Proterorhinus nasalis 24b. anterior nostril tubular but not beyond upper lip; scales of the lateral row 49–85................................... 25 25a. suborbital transverse rows of neuromasts 8–10, typically five rows in front of suborbital longitudinal row b and three below row b; scales small..................................................................... Mesogobius nonultimus 25b. suborbital transverse rows of neuromasts 7 (8 rows in Neogobius bathybius); four rows (five in Neogobius bathybius) in front of suborbital longitudinal row b and two transverse rows below row b; scales large................................ 26 26a. head anterior to level of preopercle, at least in dorsal midline and opercle not covered with scales; spots on the body form more or less regular oblique (diagonal) bands (stripes), descending forward........................... Babka gymnotrachelus 26b. head and opercle (at least the upper part) completely covered with scales; spots on the body do not form oblique bands (stripes)............................................................................................ 27 27a. five suborbital transverse (vertical) rows of neuromasts in front of suborbital longitudinal row b; first dorsal fin rays usually VII................................................................................. Neogobius bathybius 27b. four suborbital transverse (vertical) rows of neuromasts in front of suborbital longitudinal row b; first dorsal fin rays usually VI................................................................................................ 28 28a. posterior nostril markedly distant from the anterior edge of the orbit, by more than half eye diameter..... Neogobius caspius 28b. posterior nostril near the anterior edge of the orbit, the distance less than half eye diameter.......................... 29 29a. first dorsal fin with rear proximal dark spot.............................................. Neogobius melanostomus 29b. first dorsal fin without rear proximal dark spot............................................................. 30 30a. coloration pale, sandy (Fig. 25); nape and predorsal area scaled completely with ctenoid scales........... Neogobius pallasi 30b. coloration not pale and sandy, usually densely dotted or with reticulate pattern with mid-lateral blotches and dorsal saddles (Figs. 26, 28–33); nape and predorsal area scaled completely with cycloid scales, or anteriorly with cycloid and posteriorly with ctenoid scales....................................................................................... 31 31a. first dorsal fin without anterior oblique dark stripe and light marginal band; inshore brackish water or euryhaline........ 32 31b. first dorsal fin with an anterior oblique dark stripe and light marginal band; freshwater............................. 34 32a. three suborbital transverse rows below suborbital longitudinal row b................................ Ponticola syrman 32b. two suborbital transverse rows below suborbital longitudinal row b............................................. 33 33a. anal fin with 11–14 (usually 12) branched rays, head depth at eyes about 0.6 head width, interorbit 0.6–1.1 eye diameter, snout 1.5–2.3 eye diameter, pelvic disc 0.7–0.9 abdomen length........................................ Ponticola gorlap 33b. anal fin with 13–15 (usually 13) branched rays, head depth at eyes slightly less to somewhat greater than width, interorbit 0.4–0.6 eye diameter, snout 0.9–1.2 eye diameter, pelvic disc 0.9 to slightly more than abdomen length.... Ponticola goebeli 34a. second dorsal fin with 17–18 (usually 18) branched rays, predorsal scales 25–26 (usually 26), caudal fin length 21.4–23.1% SL, first dorsal fin base 11.0–11.7% SL, snout to first dorsal fin 36.4–37.7% SL, pelvic fin length 14.0–15.6% SL, eye diameter 18.0–18.4% HL, upper lip length 20.3–21.9% HL; Kura River basin (Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey)..... Ponticola cyrius 34b. second dorsal fin with 14–17 (usually 15–16) branched rays, predorsal scales 17–25 (usually 19–22), caudal fin length 23.3– 31.4% SL, first dorsal fin base 14.1–18.5 % SL, snout to first dorsal fin 30.5–36.5% SL, pelvic fin length 19.4–26.2% SL, eye diameter 18.8–25.7% HL, upper lip length 27.1–43.4% HL; South Caspian freshwater habitats in Iran................. 35 35a. head, lips, cheeks, predorsal and body coloration reticulate, postorbital profile oblique, cheek prominent; Kaboudval Stream (Golestan Province)................................................................. Ponticola hircaniaensis 35b. head, lips, cheeks, predorsal and body color uniform, body coloration not reticulate, postorbital profile subhorizontal (i.e., less oblique), cheek not prominent; western freshwater habitats of the South Caspian sub-basin (Gilan and western Mazandaran Province)........................................................................................... 36 36a. inhabiting the upper Sefidroud drainage basin................................................. Ponticola iranicus 36b. inhabiting western freshwater habitats of the South Caspian sub-basin in Iran, from Karganroud to Kheiroud except for the upper Sefidroud drainage basin............................................................ Ponticola patimari, Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on pages 183-185, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060

Proterorhinus Smitt, 1900 (1 species) Etymology: Greek, proteros = former + Greek, rhinos = nose., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 182, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060

Rhinogobius Gill, 1859 (1 species) Etymology: Greek, rhinos = nose + Latin, gobius = gudgeon., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 182, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060

Benthophiloides Beling & Iljin, 1927 (2 species) Etymology: Greek, benthos = depth of the sea + Greek, phyle, that loves., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 164, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Beling, D. & Iljin, B. (1927) Benthophiloides brauneri ng, n. sp., ein fur das Schwarzmeerbassin neuer Vertreter der Familie der Gobiidae. Travaux de la Station biologique du Dniepre, Kiev, 2, 309 - 325. [in German]"]}

Benthophilus Eichwald, 1831 (16 species) Etymology: Greek, benthos = depth of the sea + Greek, phyle, meaning “that loves”., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 164, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060

Knipowitschia Iljin, 1927 (3 species) Etymology: Named after of N. M. Knipowitsch, Russian ichthyologist., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 171, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060

33. Ponticola hircaniaensis Zarei, Esmaeili, Kovačić, Schliewen & Abbasi, 2022 (Fig. 30), Hyrcanian Goby Ponticola hircaniaensis Zarei, Esmaeili, Kovačić, Schliewen & Abbasi, 2022: 408, figs. 5–6; type locality: Kaboudval Stream, Golestan province, Iran, 36°53’11.0” N 54°53’37.8” E; holotype: ZM-CBSU S101-6, male, 98.5 mm TL, 76.9 mm SL, paratypes: ZM-CBSU S099-1 to S099-12, S100-1 to S100-4, S101-1 to S101-5 & S101-7 to S101-15, additional material: ZM-CBSU S099 (29), ZM-CBSU S100 (26), ZM-CBSU S101 (9). Etymology: Named for Hyrcania, the Greek name for the south Caspian region where the species occurs. Distribution and habitat: Endemic to the Kaboudval Stream, a South Caspian Sea sub-basin drainage (Fig. 27A). Its small population is confined to a single area above the Zarrin Gol Dam (Zarei et al. 2022a). Remarks: Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses have suggested hybridization between P. hircaniaensis and P. gorlap at Kaboudval (Zarei et al. 2022a). Material examined: types and additional non-type material, Kaboudval Stream, Golestan Province, Iran. IUCN: NE. Based on a narrow geographic range isolated above the Zarrin Gol Dam (P. gorlap, and other threats, P. hircaniaensis should be labelled as Critically Endangered (CR) (Zarei et al. 2022a)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Zarei, F., Esmaeili, H. R., Kovacic, M., Schliewen, U. K. & Abbasi, K. (2022 a) Ponticola hircaniaensis sp. nov., a new and critically endangered gobiid species (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the southern Caspian Sea basin. Zootaxa, 5154 (4), 401 - 430. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 5154.4.1"]}

24. Knipowitschia longecaudata (Kessler, 1877) (Fig. 19), Longtail Dwarf Goby Gobius longecaudatus var. “a” et var. “b” Kessler, 1877: 35; type locality: South and Middle Caspian Sea; syntypes: BMNH 1897.7.5.10 [ex ZIN, var. “c”] (1), ZIN (lost). Etymology: Latin, longus = long + Latin, cauda = a tail, refers to an elongate caudal region. Distribution and habitat: Western and northwestern Black Sea regions, eastern Azov Sea and Caspian Sea (Fig. 16D). No records from the South Caspian Sea according to Miller (2004b). However, for Iran, Abbasi (2017) and we in the present study collected it from coastal waters of Anzali and Astara. Sampled in freshwater to oligohaline and meio-mesohaline salinities (Miller 2004b). Material examined: ZM-CBSU S011, 1, & ZM-CBSU S012, 1, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S018 & ZM-CBSU S019, 138, off Astara, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008h)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on pages 172-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Kessler, K. T. (1877) The Aralo - Caspian Expedition. IV. Fishes of the Aralo - Caspio - Pontine Ichthyological Region. Naturgeschichte der Fische Islands, St. Petersburg, 360 pp.","Abbasi, K. (2017) Fishes of Guilan. Iliya Culture Publication, Rasht, 208 pp. [in Persian]","Freyhof, J. & Kottelat, M. (2008 h) Knipowitschia longecaudata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2008, e. T 135509 A 4135081. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2008. RLTS. T 135509 A 4135081. en"]}

31. Ponticola goebelii (Kessler, 1874) (Fig. 28), Caspian Ratan Goby Gobius goebelii Kessler, 1874: 249, fig. 3; type locality: Baku, Azerbaijan; syntypes: (3) NMW 33910 (1), ZIN 2229-30 (2). Etymology: Kessler (1874) mentions the name “Mr. Goebel”, without providing his first name or any further detail, except that he was a taxidermist, who delivered the syntypes to the Russian Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg from Baku. Distribution and habitat: Coastal waters of the Middle and South Caspian Sea sub-basins (Fig. 27C). Absent from freshwaters. Remarks: Populations from the Caspian Sea originally described by Kessler (1874) as two separate species, Gobius bogdanowi and Gobius goebelii, the latter having been subsequently regarded as a subspecies of Neogobius ratan (Nordmann, 1840). Berg (1949) distinguished N. ratan goebeli, the Caspian Sea Ratan, by its higher meristic values, wider lip and the presence of scales on the upper third of the opercle, but believed that G. bogdanowi constituted a separate species. Within the Caspian Sea, specimens from Azerbaijan and Iran, Dagestan and the Turkmenistan coasts suggest some differentiation especially in the number of scales in lateral series, yet available material at present is too limited to evaluate possible subspecific/population status of the nominal Gobius bogdanowi Kessler (the first available name) or other putative taxa at that level. Neilson & Stepien (2009) synonymized the Caspian Sea Ratan with Ponticola ratan (Nordmann, 1840), the Black Sea Ratan, whereas it was elevated to full specific status by Naseka & Bogutskaya (2009), without further justification, since they did not include Caspian specimens in their analyses nor any discussion for their taxonomic decisions. This later was adopted by other authors, e.g., Esmaeili et al. (2010). Therefore, a detailed morphological and molecular analysis of individuals from the two basins remains of interest. Material examined: ZM-CBSU S014-1, 1, off Anzali, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: DD (Mamilov 2020c)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 178, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Kessler, K. F. (1874) A description of fishes belonging to the families common to both the Black and the Caspian seas. Travaux de la Societe des Naturalistes de St. Petersbourg, 5, 191 - 324. [in French]","Berg, L. S. (1949) Freshwater Fishes of the USSR and Adjacent Countries. Vol. III. Program for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem, 250 pp.","Neilson, M. E. & Stepien, C. A. (2009) Escape from the Ponto-Caspian: evolution and biogeography of an endemic goby species flock (Benthophilinae: Gobiidae: Teleostei). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 52, 84 - 102. https: // doi. org / 10.1016 / j. ympev. 2008.12.023","Naseka, N. M. & Bogutskaya, N. G. (2009) Fishes of the Caspian Sea: zoogeography and updated check-list. Zoosystematica Rossica, 18, 295 - 317.","Esmaeili, H. R., Coad, B. W., Gholamifard, A., Nazari, N. & Teimory, A. (2010) Annotated сhecklist of the freshwater fishes of Iran. Zoosystematica Rossica, 19, 361 - 386.","Mamilov, N. (2020 c) Ponticola goebelii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2020, e. T 156763140 A 156763185. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2020 - 3. RLTS. T 156763140 A 156763185. en"]}

19. Benthophilus spinosus Kessler, 1877 , Spiny Tadpole Goby Benthophilus spinosus Kessler, 1877: 50; type locality: Middle Caspian Sea region, depth 42.7 m; lectotype: ZISP 10896, syntypes: (5) BMNH 1897.7.5.17 [ex MLSU] (1), others lost. Etymology: Latin, spinosus = prickly or thorny, refers to the well-developed spiny tubercles. Distribution and habitat: Eastern and western coasts of the Middle Caspian Sea, southeastern North Caspian Sea (from Kulaly Island south to Mangyshlak Peninsula), and the northwestern and northeastern South Caspian Sea (Fig. 11C). No records from Iran. Sampled at 10–25 m during the spawning season and down to 40–45 m in winter (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020i)., Published as part of Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K. & Stepien, Carol A., 2022, Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification, pp. 151-193 in Zootaxa 5190 (2) on page 170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7120060, {"references":["Kessler, K. T. (1877) The Aralo - Caspian Expedition. IV. Fishes of the Aralo - Caspio - Pontine Ichthyological Region. Naturgeschichte der Fische Islands, St. Petersburg, 360 pp.","Boldyrev, V. S. & Bogutskaya, N. G. (2007) Revision of the tadpole-gobies of the genus Benthophilus (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 18, 31 - 96.","Bogutskaya, N. (2020 i) Benthophilus spinosus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2020, e. T 156758702 A 156758728. https: // doi. org / 10.2305 / IUCN. UK. 2020 - 3. RLTS. T 156758702 A 156758728. en"]}