Gobiid Fish Research Articles

Complete mitochondrial genome of larged-eye pygmy goby Trimma macrophthalmus (Teleostei, Gobiidae) and its phylogenetic implications

Trimma macrophthalmus is a colorful pygmy goby that is widely associated with coral and distributed in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Here, the complete mitochondrial genome of T. macrophthalmus was first sequenced and annotated. The entire mitogenome is a typical circular molecule (16,943 bp in total length) containing 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and 1 control region (CR). The overall base composition is 29.6% for A, 15.6% for G, 27.9% for C and 26.9% for T. Phylogenetic tree was reconstructed using concatenated 13 protein coding genes sequences of the 38 related taxa. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that T. macrophthalmus was most closely related to T. okinawae. These findings will contribute for further genetic studies such as evolution, DNA barcoding and molecular phylogeny of genus Trimma and related gobiid fishes.

Genomic landscape of introgression from the ghost lineage in a gobiid fish uncovers the generality of forces shaping hybrid genomes.

Extinct lineages can leave legacies in the genomes of extant lineages through ancient introgressive hybridization. The patterns of genomic survival of these extinct lineages provide insight into the role of extinct lineages in current biodiversity. However, our understanding on the genomic landscape of introgression from extinct lineages remains limited due to challenges associated with locating the traces of unsampled 'ghost' extinct lineages without ancient genomes. Herein, we conducted population genomic analyses on the East China Sea (ECS) lineage of Chaenogobius annularis, which was suspected to have originated from ghost introgression, with the aim of elucidating its genomic origins and characterizing its landscape of introgression. By combining phylogeographic analysis and demographic modelling, we demonstrated that the ECS lineage originated from ancient hybridization with an extinct ghost lineage. Forward simulations based on the estimated demography indicated that the statistic γ of the HyDe analysis can be used to distinguish the differences in local introgression rates in our data. Consistent with introgression between extant organisms, we found reduced introgression from extinct lineage in regions with low recombination rates and with functional importance, thereby suggesting a role of linked selection that has eliminated the extinct lineage in shaping the hybrid genome. Moreover, we identified enrichment of repetitive elements in regions associated with ghost introgression, which was hitherto little known but was also observed in the re-analysis of published data on introgression between extant organisms. Overall, our findings underscore the unexpected similarities in the characteristics of introgression landscapes across different taxa, even in cases of ghost introgression.

A re-examination of Gobiid Fish, Luciogobius guttatus, with First Record of L. martellii in Korea

A re-examination of Gobiid Fish, Luciogobius guttatus, with First Record of L. martellii in Korea

Thymic Nurse Cells in Fish

Under the transmission electron microscope, the thymic nurse cells (TNC) are evident in adult Pseudopocryptes lanceolatus (Bloch and Schneider), an Indian teleost gobiid fish. The thymocytes are the chief constituents of the the TNCs. The microscopic features of the TNC in this fish are described in this communication.

Morphological surveys of the sagittal otolith of marine gobiid fish (Teleostei: Gobioidei)

Abstract The challenges fish face in intraspecific communication has resulted in adaptation in different parts of their sensory system, including the auditory system. Evidence suggests that the sensory capability is specific for each species. The otolith is a part of the auditory system of teleost fish, and plays an important role in maintaining balance and in hearing. According to previous research, the morphological variation of otoliths is a result of a synergy between genetic and environmental factors such as depth, diet, swimming, and substrates. In this research we focused to explain (1) morphological variations of the otolith of gobiid fish as an animal inhabiting both aquatic and terrestrial environments; (2) the use of this morphological variations for distinguishing gobiid fish; and (3) how communication systems adapt to the local environment. The sagittal otoliths of six species of gobiid fish were extracted and described. In the next step, we studied the sagittal otoliths using the geometric morphometrics method and shape indices. The most common characteristics of the sagitta in the studied gobies fish were the median and mesial sulcus and the absence of a clear rostrum and antirostrum. A comparison between the examined methods showed that the geometric morphometric approach was able to detect the subtle differences between gobies species. Moreover, it seems that lifestyle and vision could affect the efficiency of the auditory system, in particular the otolith shape. For example, it seems the specific otolith shape of Periophthalmus waltoni (a species that unlike other fish spends most of its time out of the water) perhaps is a result of adaptation to land and water.

Morphological and molecular characterization of three new species of Gyrodactylus (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae) infecting Sicydium salvini (Teleostei: Gobiidae) in Mexican rivers draining into the Pacific Ocean.

The genus Gyrodactylus von Nordmann, 1832 is one of the most diverse within the class Monogenea; it contains mainly parasites of freshwater and marine teleost fishes. Around 40 species of Gyrodactylus have been described from gobiid fishes; mainly in Europe, as only two species are known from the Americas. In this study, we describe three new gyrodactylids from the body surface and fins of the goby Sicydium salvini (Gobiidae, Sycydiinae), which has a wide distribution on the Pacific coast, from Mexico to Panama. We describe Gyrodactylus oaxacae n. sp., G. atoyacensis n. sp. and G. salvini n. sp. collected from rivers draining to the eastern Pacific in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Morphologically, G. atoyacensis n. sp. and G. salvini n. sp. are very similar, and both are easily differentiated from G. oaxacae n. sp. Phylogenetic hypotheses based on sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA) and the D2+D3 domains of the large ribosomal subunit (28S rDNA) support the erection of the three new taxa; and suggest that G. atoyacensis n. sp. and G. salvini n. sp. are sister species. These gyrodactylids are the first monogeneans described from gobies of the genus Sicydium in Mexico.

Ecological carrying capacity and carbon sequestration potential of bivalve shellfish in marine ranching: A case study in Bohai Bay, China

IntroductionShellfish play an important role in ecological restoration and as carbon (C) sinks, but studies on their ecological carrying capacity (ECC) and C sequestration potential are sparse.MethodsIn this study, we selected a 57-hectare artificial oyster reef in a typical marine ranching in Bohai Bay, China, to evaluate the ECC and their C sequestration potential of bivalve shellfish, and projecting their impact on functional groups in the system, with an Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) food web model. We conducted four biological surveys to obtain the biomass measurements, with one conducted in each of the summer, autumn, and winter of 2019 and one in the spring of 2020; and the functional groups included in the surveys comprised fish, cephalopods, crustaceans, snails, bivalve shellfish, annelids, other macrobenthos, meiobenthos, starfish, sea cucumbers, zooplankton, phytoplankton, and detritus.Results and DiscussionThe EwE model prediction results showed that the ECC of bivalve shellfish was established to be 282.66 t/km2, far more than the existing quantity of 187.76 t/km2. Therefore, at present, the ecosystem of the study marine ranching is not yet mature. Moreover, our ecological network analysis parameters indicated that the marine ranching ecosystem will be mature and stable when the bivalve shellfish population reaches its ECC. However, the increase in bivalve shellfish biomass will result in a decrease in the population sizes of species competing for food resources with bivalve shellfish, mainly gobiid fish such as Tridentiger bifasciatus, Tridentiger trigonocephalus, Tridentiger barbatus. Simultaneously, when the bivalve shellfish reach their ECC, 29.23 t of CO2 can be sequestrated by bivalve shellfish, comprising 14.32 t being removed from the ecosystem as prey and 14.91 t being stored on the seafloor through biodeposition.ConclusionTherefore, the research demonstrated that, within the scope of ECC, the increasing bivalve shellfish can improve the C sequestration capacity of the marine ranch ecosystem, and effective management of bivalve shellfish in marine ranching can improve the economic benefits and C sink service functions of marine ranching.

First Record of Stripe-faced Calamiana Eugnathogobius Mindora (Herre, 1945) in India, and Distribution Range Extension of Banded Mullet goby Hemigobius hoevenii (Bleeker, 1851) and Acentrogobius viganensis (Steindachner, 1893) (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) Collected from Pazhaverkaadu Lagoon and Ennore Estuary, South India

The present work reports the occurrence of stripe-faced calamiana Eugnathogobius mindora (n = 2) for the first time in Indian waters and distribution range extension of Hemigobius hoevenii (n = 1) and Acentrogobius viganensis (n = 1) which co-occurs with E. mindora along the east coast of India. The specimens were collected from the Pazhaverkaadu lagoon and Ennore estuary, South India. E. Mindora can be readily distinguished from its closest congeners in having five prominent brown stripes in cheek and suborbital, elongations in first three dorsal spines, 33–36 lateral scales and a larger anterior nape scale. The present finding adds one more species to the Indian fish fauna by reporting the first species of the genus Eugnathogobius from Indian coastal waters. Description, meristic and morphometric characters provided for the three gobiid fish species in this study will aid to solve the ambiguity in their identities as these species have spatial synonyms in the tropical marine waters.

Complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of black-fin stream jewel goby Stiphodon percnopterygionus (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) from Taiwan

The complete mitochondrial genome of the black-fin stream jewel goby Stiphodon percnopterygionus has been amplified and sequenced. The whole mitochondrial genome is 16,502 base pairs (bp) in total length and consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and 1 control region (CR). The overall base composition is 28.1% for A, 17.1% for G, 28.7% for C and 26.0% for T with AT comprising 54.1%. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using mitochondrial protein-coding genes (PCGs) sequence data for 34 related taxa of the order Gobiiformes showed that S. percnopterygionus is closely related to S. tuivi. These findings will contribute for phylogenetic, phylogeography and further genetic studies in genus Stiphodon and related gobiid fishes.

A new freshwater goby of Rhinogobius lingtongyanensis (Teleostei, Gobiidae) from the Dongshi river basin, Fujian Province, southeastern China

A new species of freshwater gobiid fish of genus Rhinogobius Gill, 1859, were collected from the upper tributary of Dongshi river basin of Janchou City in southern region of Fujian Province, China. Rhinogobius lingtongyanensis n. sp. can be well distinguished from other congeners by the following features: (1) fins: second dorsal fin rays I/8; anal fin rays I/7; pectoral fin rays modally 16; (2) squamation: longitudinal scale series 25-27 (modally 26); predorsal scales 3-6 (modally 5-6); (3) vertebral count 26; and (4) specific colouration in male: lateral body with 6-7 major patches of irregularly grayish to brownish black marks; cheek blackish brown with four oblique grayish black stripes; branchiostegal membrane grayish blue without any light spots; first dorsal fin broad grayish brown band in middle, outer margin pinkish orange; pectoral fin base with longitudinal deep brown bar in upper region; and caudal fin gray with four vertical rows of brown spots, its base with a short brownish black bar. It belongs to the non-diadromous, fluvial hill-stream species. A diagnostic key to all valid species from Fujian Province, China is also provided in this paper.

The gastric proton pump in gobiid and mudskipper fishes. Evidence of stomach loss?

Stomach loss has occurred independently multiple times during gnathostome evolution with notable frequency within the Teleostei. Significantly, this loss of acid-peptic digestion has been found to correlate with the secondary genomic loss of the gastric proton pump subunits (atp4a, atp4b) and pepsinogens/pepsins (pga, pgc). Gastric glands produce gastric juice containing the acid and pepsin and thus their presence is a hallmark feature of a digestive system capable of acid-peptic digestion. However, in gobiid fishes although oesogaster and gastric glands have been identified histologically, their functional significance has been questioned. In the present study we address whether the gastric proton pump is present and expressed in gastric glands of the goby Neogobius species (Gobiidae) and in members of the family Oxudercidae, a group of amphibious gobiid fishes commonly known as mudskippers (genera: Periophthalmus, Boleophthalmus, Periophthalmodon and Scartelaos). We confirmed the presence of gastric glands and have immunohistochemically localized gastric proton pump expression to these glands in Neogobius fluviatilis and Periophthalmus novemradiatus, Periophthalmus barbarus and Boleophthalmus boddarti. Genome analysis in Neogobius melanostomus, Periophthalmus magnuspinnatus, Scartelaos histophorus, Boleophthalmus pectinirostris, and Periophthalmodon schlosseri revealed the presence of both atp4a and atp4b subunit orthologues in all species in a conserved genomic loci organization. Moreover, it was possible to deduce that the complete open reading frame and the key functional amino acid residues are present. The conserved expression of the gastric proton pump provides clear evidence of the potential for gastric acid secretion indicating that acid digestion is retained in these gobiid fishes and not lost.

Larval Ecology of Gobiid Fishes in a Subtropical Embayment: Environmental Preferences and Spatiotemporal Habitat Partitioning

Larval ecology of gobiid fishes in Xiangshan Bay of the east coast of China was examined from ichthyoplanktonic data collected during 10 weekly cruises in spring–early summer of 2015. Particular attention was given to their environmental preferences and spatiotemporal habitat partitioning. A total of 87, 007 gobiid larval individuals, distributed in 9 species, were collected. The thermal and salinity preferences of 6 of the 9 gobiid larvae have been determined using a quotient-rule analysis. This work filled some gaps in larval ecology of these poorly studied gobiids. Temporal succession in gobiid larvae composition was strongly evident. The bay ecosystem was mainly occupied by Asian freshwater goby Acanthogobius ommaturus, branded goby Chaeturichthys stigmatias and tank goby Glossogobius giuris, with preferences for temperature bellow 19°C during April to early May, while striped sand goby Amoya pflaumi and burrowing goby Trypauchen vagina, which preferred water temperature above 22°C, predominated the larval assemblage in early June. With respect to spatial distribution, relatively little variation was detected among species. Most of gobiid larvae exhibited little obvious habitat preference except pinkgray goby Amblychaeturichthys hexanema and A. ommaturus, which distributed preferably in the inner zone and mouth of the bay ecosystem, respectively. Water temperature was the major structuring factor of gobiid larvae assemblage structure in the bay. The gobiid larvae exhibited to be particularly susceptible to the rapid rising temperature shocks. Sharp decline in the total abundance of gobiid larvae was detected with each rapid heating process. In addition, significant shift in larval fish composition occurred following the process. The results suggest that pattern of temperature increase in spring and early summer plays a vital role in recruitment success of the gobiid larvae.

A review of the gobiid fish genus Aulopareia (Gobiidae: Gobiinae) with description of a new species from Kuwait and discussion of the status of Gobius cyanomos Bleeker.

The tropical Indo-west Pacific gobiid fish genus Aulopareia Bleeker is reviewed, with all recognised species redescribed herein, apart from one uncertain species. Additionally, a new species from Kuwait is described (A. vadosa n. sp.). Of the 10 nominal species names usually assigned to this genus, only three appear to be valid Aulopareia (A. koumansi, A. ocellata and A. unicolor). From descriptions and illustrations, Acentrogobius microps Chu and Wu appears to be an Aulopareia but no material was available for study. The species that has been variously named as Acentrogobius cyanomos, Aulopareia cyanomos or Aulopareia spilopterus is redescribed. The status of two other species that may be related is also discussed: Gobius cyanoclavis Cantor and Gobius phaiomelas Bleeker. Aulopareia has been noted as being related to Parachaeturichthys.

First report of two gobiid fishes from the coral reefs of Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu, India

First report of two gobiid fishes from the coral reefs of Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu, India

Distribution, abundance, and species composition of fish larvae and juveniles of Gobiidae in the Cimaja estuary, Palabuhanratu, Indonesia

Cimaja estuary has been well known as a fishing ground for fish larvae and juveniles of amphidromous fishes. The local people call this group of fish impun and collect them frequently for consumption. However, no information about fish diversity and recruitment of amphidromous goby in the Cimaja estuary is known. Therefore, this study aims to reveal species composition, recruitment pattern, and estimation of the abundance of fish larval and juvenile amphidromous goby in the Cimaja estuary day and night. Sampling was performed monthly during the new moon period from December 2020 to February 2021. Fish specimens were identified to the lowest taxon level through a morphological approach. A total of 23,331 larvae and juveniles of Gobiidae were collected, and most of them were Sicyopterus spp. The juvenile stage (11.9-21.8 mm BL) comprised 95.6% of the catches, postflexion larvae (6.9-11.8 mm BL) contributed 3.5% to the total yield and 0.9% of the total capture consisting of flexion larvae (3.9-6.8 mm BL). Gobiid fishes are preferred to recruit and migrate into the Cimaja river during the day than at night time (p < 0.05), and their movement to the upstream are synchronized with the tidal cycle.

The tail flick warning signals and the molecular phylogeny and evolution of gobiid fishes associated with burrowing alpheid shrimps

The tail flick warning signals and the molecular phylogeny and evolution of gobiid fishes associated with burrowing alpheid shrimps

Adhesive force and endurance of the pelvic sucker across different modes of waterfall-climbing in gobiid fishes: Contrasting climbing mechanisms share aspects of ontogenetic change

Waterfall-climbing gobiids from oceanic islands use a suction-based adhesive mechanism formed by fused pelvic fins (pelvic sucker) and exhibit rock-climbing behavior during upstream migration. Although adhesion is a common feature of locomotion in these fishes, two distinct climbing styles – powerburst climbing and inching – have evolved. We compared the performance of the pelvic sucker during climbing across a range of body sizes between two species that use these different styles, collecting new data from the powerburst climber Lentipes concolor, and comparing these to published data for the inching climber Sicyopterus japonicus. Suction force for adhesion generated during continuous climbing did not differ between the species, with similar mean safety factors of 2.5–3.0. However, L. concolor engaged its pelvic sucker for a significantly longer duration of time (approximately 34 % longer per climbing cycle) than S. japonicus during continuous climbing. During sustained adhesion, both species exhibited non-linear scaling of fatigue time, with intermediate-sized individuals (e.g., large juveniles to small adults) showing the greatest endurance. However, the two species exhibited strikingly different maxima and variability in the endurance of their pelvic suckers. Maximum time to fatigue in L. concolor was less than half that of S. japonicus, but L. concolor showed more than double the variability of S. japonicus in time to fatigue. Our comparisons of these species reveal that despite differences in several aspects of their adhesive performance, some features of sucker function remain similar across climbing styles, including several related to how performance changes through ontogeny.

Interactions among multiple selective pressures on the form–function relationship in insular stream fishes

Abstract Relationships between body shape and escape performance are well established for many species. However, organisms can face multiple selection pressures that might impose competing demands. Many fishes use fast starts for escaping predator attacks, whereas some species of gobiid fishes have evolved the ability to climb waterfalls out of predator-dense habitats. The ancestral ‘powerburst’ climbing mechanism uses lateral body undulations to move up waterfalls, whereas a derived ‘inching’ mechanism uses rectilinear locomotion. We examined whether fast-start performance is impacted by selection imposed from the new functional demands of climbing. We predicted that non-climbing species would show morphology and fast-start performance that facilitate predator evasion, because these fish live consistently with predators and are not constrained by the demands of climbing. We also predicted that, by using lateral undulations, powerburst climbers would show escape performance superior to that of inchers. We compared fast starts and body shape across six goby species. As predicted, non-climbing fish exhibited distinct morphology and responded more frequently to an attack stimulus than climbing species. Contrary to our predictions, we found no differences in escape performance among climbing styles. These results indicate that selection for a competing pressure need not limit the ability of prey to escape predator attacks.

A revision of the gobiid fish genus Pseudogobius/ (Teleostei, Gobiidae, Tridentigerinae), with description of seven new species from Australia and South-east Asia.

The tridentigerine genus Pseudogobius is widespread, from temperate to tropical areas of the Indo-west Pacific. A morphological review of the genus was carried out, with the initial focus on South-east Asian and Australian species. There are about 21 nominal species in the genus; however, the type specimens for some nominal species are missing. Our work recognises 15 valid species so far, including seven new species, which are described herein: P. aquilonius n. sp., P. cinctus n. sp., P. eos n. sp., P. hoesei n. sp., P. jeffi n. sp., P. rhizophora n. sp. and P. verticalis n. sp. We also conclude that P. poicilosoma (Bleeker, 1849) is the senior synonym of P. javanicus (Bleeker, 1856). Pseudogobius poicilosoma, P. gastrospilos (Bleeker, 1853) and P. javanicus are accepted here as conspecific, although the types are in poor condition (note that all three names were given to specimens collected within close proximity to each other in coastal Java, Indonesia). A key to valid species is presented. The revision benefited from an adaptive feedback loop with companion genetic analyses, with the most comprehensive data available for the Australian region. Broader preliminary genetic data suggest the potential for recognition of additional cryptic species, with the current study providing a platform for future systematic work. Pseudogobius are a prominent part of estuarine biodiversity in the Indo-west Pacific, and this study helps to highlight the need to better understand the taxonomy and conservation requirements of cryptobenthic fishes.

Biodiversitas ikan Amfidromus Gobiidae di Perairan Indonesia

Gobiidae fish are distributed widely in tropical and subtropical waters, and inhabit almost all benthic habitats ranging from freshwater, intertidal to offshore, with varied substrates such as muddy bottom, rocky, and coral beds. The diets of Gobiidae varies greatly, from microalgae to small fish. The life cycle follows the amphidromus migration pattern, the mature Gobiidae spawn in fresh water and the hatched larvae drift to brackish waters or to the sea, and will return to fresh water in a few weeks or months later. Species of Gobiidae varies greatly in Indonesian waters. The species composition of Gobiid fish schooling varies greatly by location and by seasonal appearance in estuary waters.