The affinities of European sand gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae)

Abstract

The European ‘sand-goby’ genera, comprising the Atlantic-Mediterranean Pomatoschistus and Gobiusculus, Ponto-Caspian Knipowitschia and West Balkanian Economidichthys, are diagnosed, with special reference to patterns of infraorbital neuromast organs (sensory papillae). A survey of selected meristic features indicates synapomorphies in increased number of abdominal and caudal vertebrae, and additional interneural spaces between first and second dorsal fin pterygiophores. Absence of a crest-like postmaxillary process on the premaxilla was found to be another derived feature after a survey of this bone throughout the Gobioidei. Affinity with other Atlantic-Mediterranean genera (Deltentosteus, Buenia, Lebetus and, probably, Speleogobius) is established from both morphological and isozyme criteria. Using head lateral-line and meristic characters, as well as occurrence of the premaxilla crest, a search for a sister group has led to the Indo-Pacific Nesogobius, a genus endemic to southern Australian seas, and probable wider relationship to North-western Pacific endemic gobiids.