Species Of Clingfish Research Articles

Diet of Three Cryptobenthic Clingfish Species and the Factors Influencing It

Cryptobenthic fish are small benthic fish species that normally live in various hiding places. Due to their large numbers, they are very important for energy transfer to higher trophic levels. However, due to their small size and hidden lifestyle, knowledge about them and their ecology, including their diet, is still limited. Using a non-destructive method based on faecal pellets, we investigated the diet of three clingfish species, Lepadogaster lepadogaster, L. candolii, and Apletodon incognitus, in the shallow northern Adriatic Sea. To better understand the results, we studied the fauna of potential prey in the habitats of the fish studied and also took fish specimens to observe their behaviour in the laboratory. The three species feed predominantly on crustaceans, particularly amphipods, copepods, and decapods. The proportion of the different taxa in the diet depends on the species of clingfish, the size of the specimens, and the size of the prey. In addition, the behaviour of the fish, the home range of the specimens, and the availability of food played an important role. The presence of certain crustacean groups in the environment also determines the occurrence of clingfish of different species and sizes.

Microhabitat partitioning between sympatric intertidal fish species highlights the importance of sediment composition in gravel beach conservation.

Gravel beaches in the Mediterranean ecoregion represent an economically important and unique habitat type. Yet, burgeoning tourism, intensive coastal development and artificial nourishment of beaches may jeopardize their ecological communities. To date, species that reside on gravel beaches and the consequences of beach alterations are poorly understood, which hampers the development of a sustainable coastal tourism industry along the region's shorelines. Using a simple collection method based on dredging buckets through the intertidal section of beaches, we quantified the microhabitat association of two sympatric clingfish species in the genus Gouania at seven natural and an artificial gravel beach based on sediment characteristics. We hypothesized that slender (G. pigra) and stout (G. adriatica) morphotypes would partition interstitial niche space based on sediment size, which may affect the vulnerability of the species to changes in gravel beach composition due to coastal development. We detected substantial differences in gravel composition within and among the sampled beaches which suggests scope for microhabitat partitioning in Gouania. Indeed, we found significant relationships between species identity and the presence/absence and abundance of individuals in hauls based on their positioning on PC1. Our results suggest that modifications of gravel beaches through coastal development, including beach nourishment, intensifying coastal erosion, or artificial beach creation, may have detrimental consequences for the two species if sediment types or sizes are altered. We posit that, given the simplicity and efficacy of our sampling method and the sensitivity of Gouania species to prevailing gravel composition, the genus could serve as an important indicator for gravel beach management in the Mediterranean ecoregion.

Factors Influencing Habitat Selection of Three Cryptobenthic Clingfish Species in the Shallow North Adriatic Sea

Cryptobenthic fishes were often overlooked in the past due to their cryptic lifestyle, so knowledge of their ecology is still incomplete. One of the most poorly studied taxa of fishes in the Mediterranean Sea is clingfish. In this paper we examine the habitat preferences of three clingfish species (Lepadogaster lepadogaster, L. candolii, and Apletodon incognitus) occurring in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic). The results show that all three species have a cryptic lifestyle and are well-segregated based on their depth distribution and macro- and microhabitat preferences. L. lepadogaster inhabits shallow waters of the lower mediolittoral and upper infralittoral, where it occurs on rocky bottoms under stones. L. candolii similarly occurs in the rocky infralittoral under stones, but below the lower distribution limit of L. lepadogaster, and in seagrass meadows, where it occupies empty seashells. Such hiding places in seagrass meadows are also occupied by A. incognitus, which mostly occurs below the lower distribution limit of L. candolii. Despite the overlap of depth and macrohabitat, the probability of individuals of two species encountering each other or competing in the same habitat is low when the depth range is combined with the microhabitat preferences of these species.

Rarely Reported Cryptobenthic Fish in Marine Caves of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Data on the distribution and ecology of cryptobenthic fish of marine caves in the Mediterranean Sea are extremely scarce but necessary for scientists and marine managers alike in order to understand these fish’s ecological role and assess their conservation status. Broadscale surveys by implementing underwater visual census and photographic sampling in marine caves of the northeastern Mediterranean Sea, within different expeditions during the last 5 years, brought to light new records of eight rarely reported cryptobenthic fish species. To a smaller extent, complementary citizen science data from diving professionals of Crete were used to fill distribution gaps. A total of 36 new records (66 individuals) from 18 marine caves and caverns of the Aegean and northeastern Levantine Seas were assembled, belonging to the gobies Corcyrogobius liechtensteini, Didogobius splechtnai, Gammogobius steinitzi, and Thorogobius ephippiatus, the blenny Microlipophrys nigriceps, the tripterygiid Tripterygion melanurum, the speleophilic bythitid Grammonus ater, and the gobiesocid Lepadogaster cf. lepadogaster. The above species have been rarely reported from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, with D. splechtnai and G. steinitzi being recorded for the first and second time from Greek waters, respectively, while L. cf. lepadogaster constitutes the second record of a clingfish species in a marine cave of the Aegean Sea. Interesting behavioral and ecological habits were also noted for some species, based on in situ observations and photographic evidence. Our study contributes to filling gaps in the knowledge of cave fish diversity and demonstrates that cryptobenthic mobile species in understudied cryptic habitats are more common than previously thought in the Mediterranean Sea.

A new genus and species of clingfish from the Rangitāhua Kermadec Islands of New Zealand (Teleostei, Gobiesocidae).

Flexorincus, new genus and species, is described from 15 specimens (14.0–27.2 mm SL) collected from shallow (0–9 meters) intertidal and sub-tidal waters of the Rangitāhua Kermadec Islands, New Zealand. The new taxon is distinguished from all other members of the Gobiesocidae by a combination of characters, including a heterodont dentition comprising both conical and distinct incisiviform teeth that are laterally compressed with a strongly recurved cusp, an oval-shaped opening between premaxillae, a double adhesive disc with a well-developed articulation between basipterygia and ventral postcleithra, and many reductions in the cephalic lateral line canal system. The new taxon is tentatively placed within the subfamily Diplocrepinae but shares a number of characteristics of the oral jaws and the adhesive disc skeleton with certain members of the Aspasminae and Diademichthyinae.

A new species of sea urchin associating clingfish of the genus Dellichthys from New Zealand (Teleostei, Gobiesocidae)

A new species of clingfish, Dellichthys trnskii sp. n. is described on the basis of 27 specimens, 11.9–46.0 mm SL, collected from intertidal and shallow coastal waters of New Zealand. It is distinguished from its only congener, D. morelandi Briggs, 1955 by characters of the cephalic sensory system and oral jaws, snout shape, and colouration in life. A rediagnosis is provided for D. morelandi, which is shown to exhibit sexual dimorphism in snout shape.

Sharing morphospaces: early ontogenetic shape changes in two clingfish larvae (Pisces: Gobiesocidae) from the south-east Pacific Ocean.

Larval body shape changes and developmental timing were examined in two clingfish species from the south-east Pacific Ocean, Gobiesox marmoratus and Sicyases sanguineus. Ontogenetic allometry showed no interspecific variation and <7 mm standard length (LS ) larvae of both species occupied similar morphospace, but larger G. marmoratus showed increased body depth while larvae of S. sanguineus developed a flattened head and maintained a hydrodynamic body. Estimated developmental timing suggests that larval body shape changes were faster in G. marmoratus than in S. sanguineus prior to settlement.

Feeding variations and shape changes of a temperate reef clingfish during its early ontogeny

The majority of rocky reef fishes have complex life cycles, involving transition from a pelagic to a benthic environment. This means that as they grow, their morphology, behaviour and feeding habits must change. Therefore, shape changes occurring during early development of these fishes will be related to diet changes. The clingfish Sicyases sanguineus was selected for this study, because it displays a noticeable variation in shape from pelagic larvae to juvenile stage, and it is expected that diet composition will change as well. The pattern of shape changes was studied using geometric morphometrics. A set of 9 landmarks were digitized in 159 larval and juvenile fish and the same specimens were used for gut content analysis. Allometric growth was most prominent early in the ontogeny, from 4 to 12 mm. Morphology changed from a thin and hydrodynamic shape to a more robust and deeper body prior to settlement. The diet of the clingfish during larval stages showed preferences for a variety of copepod stages. As individual grows the ingested prey volume increases, but not the number and width of prey. A partial least square analysis showed low covariance between shape changes and diet composition changes in prey number and volume, suggesting that the two processes were temporally decoupled. The biggest shape changes, a lengthening of the visceral cavity and a flattening of the head, occurred up to 12 mm standard length, while the largest feeding differentiation, shifting from copepods to microalgae, occurred after 16 mm. Results suggest that shape changes precede trophic changes in this clingfish species during the transition from a pelagic to a benthic habitat.

Gobiesox lanceolatus, a new species of clingfish (Teleostei: Gobiesocidae) from Los Frailes submarine canyon, Gulf of California, Mexico.

Gobiesox lanceolatus is described from a single specimen collected from 300 meters depth in the Los Frailes submarine canyon in the southwestern Gulf of California. The "Canyon Clingfish" is unique within Gobiesox in having a lanceolate caudal fin, with the central rays longer than those above and below them. It is also distinguished by 14 dorsal-fin rays (first tiny and unsegmented), 11 anal-fin rays, 28 pectoral-fin rays, anus slightly closer to anal-fin origin than to posterior margin of pelvic disc, and dorsal-fin origin in front of vertical from anus. It is most similar to Gobiesox eugrammus, known from Isla Guadelupe, the coast of outer Baja California and southern California. This is the deepest record for a species of Gobiesox and only four other species of clingfishes are known from greater depths.

Overlap of mountain clingfish (Gobiesox fluviatilis) and Mexican clingfish (Gobiesox mexicanus) in the Cuitzmala River, Jalisco, Mexico

Abstract We present evidence for the overlap of two species of clingfishes, mountain clingfish (Gobiesox fluviatilis) and Mexican clingfish (Gobiesox mexicanus), in the Cuitzmala River, state of Jalisco, western Mexico. In addition to documenting novel sites where these species can be found, we present a new maximum standard length for G. fluviatilis, 137.8 mm. Morphometric and meristic variation in diagnostic characters for these species is higher than previously reported. We recommend a revision of diagnostic characters for Mexican freshwater clingfishes to better understand the systematics and distribution of species in the group.

A New Mesophotic Clingfish (Teleostei: Gobiesocidae) from the Bahamas

A new species of clingfish belonging to the genus Derilissus is described from a deep coral wall in the Exumas, Bahamas. The new species is distinguished from congeners by a unique pigmentation pattern and coloration, the presence of 47 total pectoral-fin rays, a strongly convex posterior margin on disk region B, and by a unique arrangement of papillae on disk region C. The new species is characterized by bright orangish-red coloration on the flank, a yellow head, and a prominent black oval marking on the caudal peduncle. Like other members of the genus, the new species appears to be restricted to the mesophotic zone, and was collected at 286 fsw.

Multiple new records of Gymnoscyphus ascitus Böhlke and Robins, 1970 (Perciformes: Gobiesocidae) from the western Central Atlantic

We document multiple new records for the deep-water clingfish species Gymnoscyphus ascitus Böhlke and Robins 1970, known previously from only nine specimens collected at the type locality along the Atlantic coast of the Lesser Antillean island of St. Vincent. Five additional specimens, four from the Caribbean Sea (Mexico, Cozumel) and one from the Atlantic (north coast of Cuba), are reported.

Ontogeny of swimming behaviour of two temperate clingfishes, Lepadogaster lepadogaster and L. purpurea (Gobiesocidae)

Gobiesocids are typically reef-dwelling species whose larvae have been found in sev- eral nearshore rocky environments; this suggests a possible retention pattern for these species. Retention may occur due to the physical features of an area and/or active larval behaviour, such as swimming abilities. In the laboratory, we measured the ontogeny of swimming behaviour (routine speed and critical speed, Ucrit) of 2 clingfish species, Lepadogaster lepadogaster and L. purpurea. L. lepadogaster larvae swam better than L. purpurea larvae, but this difference might be related to dif- ferences in water temperature, since the former is a spring spawner, whereas the latter spawns dur- ing winter. It is well known that water viscosity increases with decreasing temperature, making swimming more difficult. Routine and critical swimming speeds of larvae of both species increased with ontogeny (size) despite high variability at any ontogenetic state. Ucrit ranged from 1 to 9.4 and 1.2 to 6.5 cm s -1 in L. lepadogaster and L. purpurea, respectively. Routine speeds were ~18 to 19% of the maximum Ucrit registered for both species. Interestingly, swimming speed started to decrease as settlement size (10 to 11 mm total length) was approached, concurrent with the development of a ventral sucking disk that allows individuals to attach to the bottom of the swimming chamber and counteract strong currents. This shift in swimming behaviour that is associated with settlement is probably an adaptation to the cryptobenthic mode of life of these fish.

Two new genera and two new species of clingfishes from Japan, with comments on head sensory canals of the Gobiesocidae

Two new genera and two new species of clingfishes from Japan, with comments on head sensory canals of the Gobiesocidae

Briggsia hastingsi, a new genus and species of clingfish from Oman

Briggsia hastingsi, a new genus and species of clingfish from Oman

Briggsia hastingsi, a new genus and species of clingfish from Oman

Briggsia hastingsi is described as a new genus and species of gobiesocid fish from a single specimen, 22 mm in standard length, collected in 2 m depth on the southeastern coast of Oman. The genus differs principally from other aspasmine genera in having fewer dorsal- and anal-fin rays (4 each) and a shorter head (head length 2.5 in standard length).

New Species of Rimicola from California

A new species of clingfish (Gobiesocidae) in the genus Rimicola, that exhibits unique sexual dimorphisms, is described from the Santa Barbara Islands, California. It is most closely related to two other California Rimicola species that are also sexually dimorphic. Now that a Rimicola species described from the Caribbean has been determined to belong elsewhere, the genus reverts to its original status as a northeastern Pacific endemic.

New Species ofLepadichthysfrom the Philippine Islands

A new species of clingfish is described from the shallow marine waters of the Philippines. This brings the number of species in the the genus to 10, all of them found in the tropical to warm-temperate waters of the Indo-West Pacific Ocean.

Egg surface structure of three clingfish species, using scanning electron microscopy

The three eastern Atlantic gobiesocid species Lepadogaster lepadogaster, Apletodon dentatus and Diplecogaster bimaculata share an attachment apparatus consisting of numerous bifurcating filaments that originate at the animal egg pole and are embedded in a mucous layer. The thickness of the mucous layer and zona radiata, and the structure and size of the micropyle vary among the three species. Because of lack of information about egg structure in paracanthopterygians and percomorphs with adhesive demersal eggs, the phylogenetic significance of this character complex remains unclear.

Egg surface structure of three clingfish species, using scanning electron microscopy

Egg surface structure of three clingfish species, using scanning electron microscopy