|
| | Group
4 Gobies | | |
The long gobies (i.e. 12-20 dorsal
and anal fin elements) | |
| | This
group mostly comprises the numerous gobies that live on sandbeds, often in holes,
and sometimes with symbiotic shrimp partners. The high number of fin rays is likely
a correlate of the long narrow bodies adapted to hole-dwelling. Their larvae are
typically lightly marked and relatively small, long, and thin. Those species with
characteristically blunt heads and subterminal mouths have larvae with pointed
snouts and terminal mouths which undergo marked head-shape changes at transition. |
| | | | |
| |
|
| Evermannichthys metzelaari | |
| | | | | |
| | Diagnosis:
This genus of long eel-like sponge gobies have normally-proportioned larvae.
The genus has several unique features: fewer and variable first dorsal fin spine
numbers (four to seven), many fewer pectoral fin rays (11-13), and large spiny
scales at the base of the caudal peduncle. Fortunately the characteristic caudal
peduncle scales are prominent on larvae (of E. metzelaari) and easily confirms
the identification. Risor
ruber, another sponge goby, also has large spiny scales on the caudal
peduncle, but has many more pectoral fin rays. There are five Caribbean species
and the number of fin rays in this genus varies more than usual, often plus or
minus two rays around the mode: Evermannichthys metzelaari
has a modal fin ray count of D-IV,15 A-12 Pect-12; E.
silus has D-VI-VII,12-13 A-10-11 Pect-13; E.
convictor has D-V,11-13 A-9-11 Pect-13; E.
spongicola (Gulf of Mexico only?) has D-VI-VII,13 A-10-11 Pect-12; and
E. bicolor has a mode of D-VI,11 A-9. |
| | Description:
Body relatively thin, long, and narrow with a medium eye, pointed snout, and a
large terminal mouth. Pectoral fins short, pelvic fins long, reaching almost to
the vent. Dorsal and anal fin bases medium, caudal peduncle short and narrow.
Very lightly marked: internal melanophores at the dorsal surface of the swim bladder
and one melanophore on the caudal peduncle just after the last anal fin ray, often
deep and indistinct). There are four large ctenoid (spiny) scales along the ventral midline of the
caudal peduncle extending from the last anal fin ray to the start of the (very
few, only four) caudal fin procurrent rays. They have small melanophores on the
scale and spine surfaces. Eye shapes range from a slightly narrowed vertical oval
to round. | | |
|
| Evermannichthys metzelaari
larva | | 6.4 mm SL | | D-V,15
A-14 | | San Blas, Panama, SB86-608 |
|  | | |  | | |  |
| Evermannichthys metzelaari
larva | | 6.4 mm SL | | D-V,15
A-14 | | San Blas, Panama, SB86-608 |
|  |
| | |
| |
|
|
| | Diagnosis:
Modal fin ray counts of D-VI,11 A-12 and Pect-16-17 indicate
Evorthodus lyricus along with Ctenogobius
boleosoma and C. smaragdus. These genera typically have one more
anal fin ray than second dorsal fin rays. This larval type has a short pelvic
fin, extending less than half the way to the vent, separating it from the C.
boleosoma larval type identified below (and from the very common larval
C. saepepallens). Newly-settled
recruits of Evorthodus lyricus have a short
pelvic fin (Wyanski and Targett, 1985), but the pelvic fin length is unknown for
recruits of C. smaragdus and they cannot be excluded. Several lines of
evidence support the identification of this larval type as E.
lyricus. One is that some transforming larvae illustrated and identified
by Ruple (in Richards' chapter) and Wyanski and Targett (1985) have a slightly
blunted snout and a stripe from the eye to the blunt tip, matching the transitional
larvae of this type. Secondly, a larval type that is very similar to this type
occurs in the eastern Pacific region with fin ray counts matching only to the
sibling species Evorthodus minutus (also D-VI,11
A-12; there are no eastern Pacific Ctenogobius spp.
with this fin ray count). Lastly, this larval type (and that of E.
minutus) exhibit distinct larval characters that likely reflect a more
distant relationship to the other known larval types of Ctenogobius
spp.: a different body form, widest at the middle and a long abdominal
region, a small eyeball with highly-variable shapes, and an unusual pattern of
rows of tiny melanophores along the lateral abdominal walls from the vent forward.
G12 (PE) | |
| Description:
Body thin, long and narrow with a small pointed head, a small to medium-sized
eye and a terminal medium-sized mouth. The widest part of the body is clearly
at the level of the origin of the anal fin. Pelvic and pectoral fins medium length,
reaching less than half-way to the vent. Dorsal and anal fin bases relatively
long, caudal peduncle short and narrowing rapidly, procurrent caudal fin rays
( spindly). Lightly marked mostly along the lower body: melanophores along the
ventral midline sometimes at the isthmus, rarely at the pelvic fin insertion,
and then, most frequent, another just behind the pelvic fin insertion. There is
sometimes a row of melanophores along the anal fin base, variably present and
variably paired (usually only 4 to 7 per side, can occur on either side unpaired),
and sometimes one or a few extending along the ventral midline of the caudal peduncle
ending before the start of the procurrent caudal fin rays. Many individuals, however,
show only indistinct melanophores or no surface melanophores at all. Melanophores
on the head occur along the upper edge of the anterior premaxilla (often paired),
sometimes also just below the tip of the dentary and along the sides of the lower
jaw as well. Internal melanophores are present around the saccule, the dorsal
surface of the swim bladder, and sometimes around the gut near the vent. Some
individuals have a deep melanophore above the pelvic girdle between the thoracic
and abdominal cavities. Some individuals have paired linear patches of tiny surface
melanophores along the side of the abdomen just forward of the vent. The eyeball
in this larval type shows an unusual variety of shapes, with the small eyeball
often not round, but irregular with tilts in all directions, the iris sometimes
off-center, and indentations of the iris in a number of orientations. Series of
transitional larvae show the eye usually developing from a small slightly narrowed
vertical oval to round and the head shape changing from a pointed snout to a somewhat
blunted profile. Transitional larvae develop melanophores in front of the eye
and over the upper iris, becoming a stripe from the eye to the tip of the upper
jaw. In addition, they develop a straight-line bar across the top of the head
behind the eyes, a large melanophore behind the eye and a row of discrete, often
dendritic, melanophores on the sides of the abdomen just behind the pelvic fin
insertion. | | |
|
| Evorthodus lyricus
larva | | 8.8 mm SL | | lightly
marked | | San Blas, Panama, SB84-522 |
|  | | |  | | |  |
| Evorthodus lyricus
larva | | 8.1 mm SL | | San
Blas, Panama, SB84-917 | |  |
Evorthodus lyricus
larva (above) vs.
Ctenogobius
boleosoma larva (below) | | 8.3 and
8.2 mm SL | | note smaller eye and shorter
pelvic fin | | San Blas, Panama, SB86-1103 |
|  |
| Evorthodus lyricus
larva | | 8.3 mm SL | | small
irregular eye | | San Blas, Panama, SB87-123 |
|  |
| Evorthodus lyricus
larva | | 7.9 mm SL | | patches
of tiny melanophores near vent | | San Blas,
Panama, SB84-522 | |  |
| Evorthodus lyricus larva
| | 8.3 mm SL | | patches
of tiny melanophores near vent | | San Blas,
Panama, SB86-1001 | |  | | |  |
Evorthodus lyricus
early transitional larva | | 8.4 mm SL
| | San Blas, Panama, SB86-412 |
|  | | |  | | |  |
| Evorthodus lyricus
transitional larva | | 8.5 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB86-1029 |
|  | | |  |
| |  |
| | |
| |
|
| | Diagnosis:
Modal fin ray counts of D-VI,11 A-12 and Pect-16-17 indicate Ctenogobius
boleosoma, C. smaragdus, and Evorthodus
lyricus. These genera typically have one more anal fin ray than second
dorsal fin rays. Metamorphic melanophores comprising an oblique bar forward of
the eye to the mid-upper jaw and pelvic fins almost reaching the vent confirms
C. boleosoma. A bar from the iris to the corner
of the mouth indicates C. saepepallens.
Evorthodus lyricus has
a markedly shorter pelvic fin than C. boleosoma
(or C. saepepallens)
and a more appropriate larval type is identified for that species. C. smaragdus
cannot be excluded, but may have a shorter pelvic fin as well. Pre-transitional
larvae of this C. boleosoma type are distinct
in having a solitary melanophore at the tip of the lower jaw, but those without
the spot would be indistinguishable from pre-transitional C.
saepepallens (since there is some overlap in fin ray counts). This conclusion
is based on the fact that larvae in which that is the sole head marking usually
have 12 anal fin elements and thus likely represent C.
boleosoma (C. saepepallens
has a mode of 13 anal fin elements).(ML) | |
| Description:
Body thin, long and narrow with a large eye and a terminal medium-sized mouth.
Pectoral fins medium length, reaching about two-thirds of the way to the vent
(longer at transition). Pelvic fins long and fused with a clear frenum, reaching
much of the way to the vent. Dorsal and anal fin bases long, caudal peduncle relatively
short and narrow. The s-shaped gut is usually clearly visible through the ventral
abdominal wall. Lightly marked mostly along the lower body: melanophores along
the ventral midline at the isthmus (often missing), at the pelvic fin insertion,
and then sometimes another just behind the pelvic fin insertion, after which some
individuals develop a row on each side of the gut strip along the abdomen. There
are several discrete large melanophores along the anal fin base, often variably
present and variably paired (usually only 3-4 per side, but can be up to 7; can
occur on either side unpaired), and a prominent and characteristic melanophore
(rarely two) at the ventral midline of the caudal peduncle after the last anal
fin ray which has an internal extension reaching up towards the lateral midline.
In many individuals, especially earlier-stage larvae, some melanophores are missing
or indistinct and even the characteristic deep peduncle melanophore is often not
visible. Head markings typically develop as a melanophore between the mid-upper
jaw and eye (any melanophores extending from the eye to the corner of the mouth
or a solitary melanophore on the iris surface at that quadrant indicate C.
saepepallens; transitional C. boleosoma
do have melanophores on the lower iris, but always in combination with other transitional
melanophores). Most pre-transitional larvae have a solitary melanophore at the
tip of the lower jaw, but whether this is a rule is unclear since some variant
transitional larvae recognizable as C. boleosoma
are missing this melanophore. Internal melanophores are present around the saccule,
the dorsal surface of the swim bladder, and around the gut near the vent: Some
individuals have a deep melanophore above the pelvic girdle between the thoracic
and abdominal cavities. Series of transitional larvae show development of the
eye from a slightly narrowed vertical oval to distinctly larger and round, often
with a dorsal dent in the iris that sometimes persists into the transitional phase.
The head profile develops from a thin pointed head to a blunt snout with a particularly
bulbous head compared to the midsection. Transitional larvae develop a pattern
of discrete melanophores on the jaw and the head (primarily in a stripe forward
of the eye and in pairs on top of the head) and patches of characteristic tiny
leukophores (clearly smaller and more numerous than on C.
saepepallens) on the upper iris, on top of the head, and in a stripe forward
across the nasal region and along the upper jaw. Patches of melanophores then
develop along the dorsal midline and on the lateral midline of the caudal peduncle.
Transitional recruits develop additional specklings of melanophores, leukophores,
and iridophores and a prominent row of lateral midline blotches. A conspicuous
black spot develops at the base of the upper pectoral fin rays. | |
|
| Ctenogobius boleosoma larva |
| 8.0 mm SL | | note
internal thoracic melanophore | | San Blas,
Panama, SB86-701 | |  | | |  |
| Ctenogobius boleosoma larva |
| 8.2 mm SL | | San
Blas, Panama, SB83-156 | |  |
Ctenogobius boleosoma
early transitional larva | | 8.9 mm SL
| | melanophore pattern | | San
Blas, Panama, SB83-137 | |  | | |  |
Ctenogobius boleosoma
(above) vs.
C. saepepallens
(below) transitional larvae | | 8.8 and 8.9
mm SL | | note leukophore size differences |
| San Blas, Panama, SB86-809 | |  |
| Ctenogobius boleosoma
transitional larva | | 8.3 mm SL |
| tiny leukophores | | San
Blas, Panama, SB87-218 | |  |
| Ctenogobius boleosoma
transitional larvae | | 8.6 and 8.4 mm SL
| | variant below without tip-of-lower-jaw
spot | | San Blas, Panama, SB86-1103 |
|  |
Ctenogobius boleosoma
late transitional larva | | 9.9 mm SL |
| indistinct leukophores | | San
Blas, Panama, SB86-1002 | |  |
Ctenogobius boleosoma
late transitional larva | | 9.0 mm SL
| | persistent dorsal iris indentation |
| San Blas, Panama, SB86-929 | |  | | |  |
Ctenogobius boleosoma
late transitional larva | | 8.8 mm SL
| | San Blas, Panama, SB83-123 |
|  |
Ctenogobius boleosoma
transitional recruit | | 9.6 mm SL |
| St. Thomas, USVI, ST506 | |  | | |  |
| Ctenogobius boleosoma
juvenile | | 16.1 mm SL | | San
Blas, Panama, SB83-111 | |  |
| | |
| |
|
| | Diagnosis:
Modal fin ray counts of D-VI,12 A-13 and Pect-16-17 indicate Ctenogobius
spp. This is a large group of species, some of which have been moved back
and forth into Gobionellus spp.,
but the latest analysis by Pezold 2004 indicates that there are ten Caribbean
species (and only one Caribbean Gobionellus
sp.). These genera typically have one more anal fin ray than second dorsal
fin rays. Eight of the ten species share the median fin ray count of this larval
type, but Ctenogobius saepepallens occurs
abundantly around reefs while the other seven are mostly fresh and brackish-water
species. Widespread species include C. claytoni (Pect.
15-17), C. fasciatus (Pect. 17-18), C.
pseudofasciatus, C. stigmaticus (Pect.
18), and C. stigmaturus (Pect. 16). Regionals
include C. phenacus, found from Venezuela
south, and C. shufeldti (Pect. 17-18), which
may be limited to a north and south distribution (Florida/Gulf of Mexico and Venezuela
to Brazil). Transitional larvae and juveniles with a bar from the iris to the
corner of the mouth indicates C. saepepallens
(but the others may not be excluded). Transitional larvae and juveniles with an
oblique bar forward of the eye to the mid-upper jaw and not at the corner of the
mouth indicate C. boleosoma.
The related Oxyurichthys stigmalophius has
more fin rays: D-VI,13 A-14 and many more (21-22) pectoral fin rays. Vomerogobius
flavus is a deep-water goby from the Bahamas with similar fin ray counts
(D-VI,12-13 A-13 pect-15-16), but it has a distinctly large eye and no pelvic
frenum. (ML) | |
| Description:
Body thin, long and narrow with a large eye and a terminal medium to small
mouth. Pectoral fins medium length, reaching about two-thirds of the way to the
vent (longer at transition). Pelvic fins long and fused with a clear frenum, reaching
much of the way to the vent. Dorsal and anal fin bases long, caudal peduncle relatively
short and narrow. The s-shaped gut is usually clearly visible through the ventral
abdominal wall. Lightly marked mostly along the lower body: melanophores along
the ventral midline at the isthmus (often missing), at the pelvic fin insertion,
and then sometimes another just behind the pelvic fin insertion, after which some
individuals develop a row on each side of the gut strip along the abdomen. There
are several discrete large melanophores along the anal fin base, often variably
present and variably paired (usually only 3-4 per side, but can be up to 7; can
occur on either side unpaired), and a prominent and characteristic melanophore
at the ventral midline of the caudal peduncle after the last anal fin ray (rarely
two) which has an internal extension reaching up towards the lateral midline.
In many individuals, especially earlier-stage larvae, some melanophores are missing
or indistinct and even the characteristic peduncle melanophore is often not visible.
The head is unmarked prior to transition, but many individuals show a characteristic
melanophore on the iris at about 7 o'clock, often with an additional melanophore
extending to the corner of the mouth. Larvae that have a melanophore just before
the tip of the lower jaw, especially when that is the sole head marking, usually
also have 12 anal fin elements and are thus likely C.
boleosoma. However, some transitional larvae of this
C. saepepallens type have that melanophore, but typically along with many
other head markings. Internal melanophores are present around the saccule, the
dorsal surface of the swim bladder, and around the gut near the vent: some individuals
have a deep melanophore above the pelvic girdle between the thoracic and abdominal
cavities. Series of transitional larvae show development of the eye from a slightly
narrowed vertical oval to distinctly larger and round, often with a dorsal dent
in the iris that sometimes persists into the transitional phase. The head profile
develops from a thin pointed head to a blunt snout with a particularly bulbous
head compared to the midsection. Transitional larvae develop a scattering of iridophores
and leukophores on the head along with a pattern of a few discrete large melanophores
on the head behind the eye and at the base of the pectoral fins. The leukophores
on the top of the head are few, large, and scattered compared to those on the
head of transitional C. boleosoma
larvae. The characteristic bar below the eye further develops with more melanophores
extending to the corner of the mouth. Melanophores develop in patches spaced out
along the base of the dorsal fin, at the end of the caudal peduncle and at the
base of the central caudal fin rays. Transitional recruits develop additional
specklings of melanophores and leukophores and a lateral midline row of melanophore
patches. A black spot develops at the base of the upper pectoral fin rays. |
| |
|
| Ctenogobius saepepallens
larva | | 10.1 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB86-921 | | |
|  |
| Ctenogobius saepepallens
larva | | 10.0 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB86-627 | |  |
| Ctenogobius saepepallens
larva | | 9.2 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB86-815 | |  |
| Ctenogobius saepepallens
larvae | | 8.1 to 9.5 mm SL |
head shape and eye development,
melanophore variation |
| San Blas, Panama, SB83-151 | |  |
| Ctenogobius saepepallens
larva | | 9.9 mm SL |
| pelvic frenum, abdominal melanophores |
| San Blas, Panama, SB86-623 | |  | | |  |
| Ctenogobius saepepallens
larvae | | 9.2 and 9.3 mm SL |
| S-shaped gut, melanophore variation |
| San Blas, Panama, SB86-623 | |  |
| Ctenogobius saepepallens
+ larva | | 6.7 mm SL |
| small but not early stage, eye is round |
| San Blas, Panama, SB86-502 | |  | | |  |
| Ctenogobius saepepallens
+ larva | | 7.8 mm SL |
| small with indistinct melanophores | | San
Blas, Panama, SB84-529a | |  | | |  |
| Ctenogobius saepepallens
larva | | 9.1 mm SL |
| melanophores indistinct or absent | | San
Blas, Panama, SB84-520 | |  | | |  |
Ctenogobius saepepallens
early transitional larva | | 9.9
mm SL | | deep caudal peduncle melanophore |
| San Blas, Panama, SB86-409 | |  |
Ctenogobius saepepallens
early transitional larva | | 9.6
mm SL | | leukophores and iridophores only |
| San Blas, Panama, SB84-624a | |  |
Ctenogobius saepepallens
transitional larva | | 9.0 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB84-405 | |  | | |  |
Ctenogobius saepepallens
transitional larva | | 9.5 mm
SL | | San Blas, Panama, SB87-218 |
|  | | |  |
Ctenogobius saepepallens
transitional larvae | | 9.3, 9.3, and
9.0 mm SL | | head melanophore
variation | | San Blas, Panama, SB86-405 |
|  | | |  |
Ctenogobius saepepallens
early transitional larvae | | 8.7 and
9.7 mm SL | | eye changes |
| San Blas, Panama, SB87-218 | |  |
Ctenogobius saepepallens
transitional recruit | | 9.4 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB82-097 |
|  | | |  |
| Ctenogobius saepepallens
juvenile | | 15.7 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB83-111 |
|  |
| | |
| |
|
| | Diagnosis:
Modal fin ray counts of D-VI,12 A-12 Pect-17 indicate Gnatholepis
thompsoni. Similar median fin ray counts occur in Bollmannia
litura, but that genus has seven first dorsal fin spines and many more
pectoral fin rays (20 or more). Rare individuals of Ctenogobius
saepepallens , and probably others of that genus, can have equal numbers
of anal and second dorsal fin ray elements and thus match the counts of this larval
type. (ML) | |
| Analogues:
(long and narrow, no anal fin base row of melanophores) Most long and narrow
larval gobies have a row of melanophores along the anal fin base, but among some
groups there are often individuals without markings (primarily Ctenogobius
spp. and Evorthodus lyricus).
Those individuals can resemble larval Gnatholepis thompsoni, but usually
have one more anal fin element than second dorsal fin elements vs. equal numbers
in Gnatholepis thompsoni larvae. In addition, larval Gnatholepis thompsoni
have a distinctly larger eye, a smaller downturned mouth, and melanophores along
the dorsal fins. The transitional melanophore patterns are also completely different.
Larval Evermannichthys
spp. have a larger mouth, a sharply-pointed snout, and spiny caudal peduncle
scales. | |
| Description:
Body thin, long and narrow with a large eye and relatively small somewhat downturned
mouth. Pectoral fins medium length, pelvic fins medium length and fused with a
clear frenum, dorsal and anal fin bases long, caudal peduncle relatively long
and somewhat narrow. Pretransitional larvae have melanophores only on the dorsal
fins, along the membranes between the dorsal fin spines and the first three or
four second dorsal fin elements (these can be missing on larvae with frayed fins).
Series of transitional larvae show the eye remaining large and round, often with
a prominent dorsal, occasionally a ventral, indentation in the iris. Transitional
larvae develop a melanophore on the proximal middle pectoral fin rays and rows
of large melanophores on the body near the base of the dorsal fins. The characteristic
comma-shaped bar below the eye then develops from the iris down and a corresponding
bar develops on the upper iris onto the dorsal surface of the head. Leukophore
patches form over the top of the head and over the iris, on the cheek, and on
the base of the pectoral fin. | | |
|
| Gnatholepis thompsoni
transitional larva | | 9.9 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB84-624a | | |
|  | | | |
| | |
| |
|
| | Diagnosis:
Modal fin ray counts of D-VII,13 (or 14) A-11 (to 13) Pect. 17 indicate Nes
longus. This species typically has one or two fewer anal fin rays than second
dorsal fin rays. (U) | |
| Analogues:
(post-anal fin solitary melanophore, large: >9 mm SL) Within the diverse
solitary post-anal fin melanophore group, there are few species with large larvae:
the only other large larva comparable to Nes longus is that of Psilotris
amblyrhynchus. The similarity is especially notable when larval Nes
longus are missing their anterior anal fin base melanophores as well as their
caudal fin base melanophores, which is not uncommon. In that case, P.
amblyrhynchus larvae can be separated by pelvic fin morphology (mostly
divided pelvic fins with no frenum vs. fused and an obvious frenum in Nes
longus) and fewer median fin rays (usually 11/11 vs. 13-14/11-13). Other
similar goby larvae are much smaller: some with divided pelvic fins and typically
other distinctive melanophores (Psilotris
spp., Gobulus
myersi, and Pycnomma
roosevelti) and, with fused pelvic fins (and usually only the solitary
post-anal fin melanophore), some Gobiosoma
spp. and Elacatinus
spp., as well as Evermannichthys
spp. (the latter also with a sharply-pointed snout and spiny caudal peduncle
scales). | |
| Description:
Body somewhat thick, long and narrow with a large head and medium-sized eye and
terminal large mouth. Pectoral fins medium length, not reaching to the level of
the vent, pelvic fins medium length as well and fused with a clear frenum. Dorsal
and anal fin bases medium length, caudal peduncle relatively long and narrowing
rapidly. Lightly marked along the lower body: melanophores limited to a streak
in front of the pelvic fin insertion (often obscure, sometimes absent), a melanophore
or two per side (variably paired) at the base of the anterior anal fin rays (sometimes
absent, occasionally one more at the mid-anal fin as well), and a large prominent
dendritic melanophore at the ventral midline after the last anal fin ray (often
spreading over the base of the last anal fin rays). Internal melanophores are
present above the the rear brain case at the midline, single and often obscured,
along the dorsal surface of the swim bladder and around the gut near the vent
(often dendritic and extending down to the surface around the vent). Many individuals
also have one or two melanophores at the base of one or two of the lower segmented
caudal fin rays. Series of transitional larvae show development of the eye from
a slightly narrowed vertical oval to round and then, particularly unusual for
gobies, becoming relatively much smaller as the head shape changes. The head widens
and broadens markedly as the body stays relatively narrow and the pelvic fins
become shorter. Transitional larvae develop melanophores in an arc behind the
upper eye, between the eye and the mid-upper jaw, at the angle of the jaw and
below the mid-dentary of the lower jaw. Transitional larvae have a bubblewrap-like
skin. | | |
|
| Nes longus larva |
| 10.7 mm SL | | Carrie
Bow Cay, Belize 1986 | |  | | |  |
| Nes longus larvae |
| both 9.2 mm SL | | note
internal head melanophore | | San Blas, Panama,
SB87-225 | |  |
| Nes longus early
transitional larva | | 9.9 mm SL |
| shorter pelvic fins | | San
Blas, Panama, SB86-929 | |  | | |  | | |  | | |  |
| Nes longus early
transitional larva | | 9.7 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB81-047 |
|  |
| Nes longus early
transitional larva | | 9.8 mm SL |
| head melanophores, bubblewrap-like skin |
| San Blas, Panama, SB87-225 | |  | | |  | | |  |
| Nes longus transitional
larva | | 9.1 mm SL |
transitional morphology only
head broadens, eye
much smaller | | San Blas, Panama, SB83-163 |
|  | | |  |
| Nes longus transitional
larva | | 9.0 mm SL | | San
Blas, Panama, SB86-1120 | |  |
| | |
| |
|
| | Diagnosis:
Modal fin ray counts of D-VII,13 A-13 and Pect-20-22 indicate Bollmannia
boqueronensis or Parrella macropteryx.
Second dorsal fin elements 12-15 and anal fin elements 12-14 with equal numbers
of elements and high pectoral fin ray counts are only found in these two genera
(Gobionellus spp., Gobioides
spp., and Microgobius spp.
all have more than 15 anal fin elements). median fin ray counts are variable in
these genera with some species having more anal fin rays than second dorsal fin
rays. B. boqueronensis has a mode of 13 second
dorsal and anal fin elements and 20-21 pectoral fin rays. Other regional species
comprise B. litura with 12 second dorsal and
anal fin elements and 20 pectoral fin rays, B. eigenmanni
with 12 second dorsal and 13 anal fin elements and 23-25 pectoral fin rays, and
B. communis (USA to Campeche) with a mode
of 15 second dorsal and 14 anal fin elements and 22 pectoral fin rays. Parrella
macropteryx, the only species of its genus in the Atlantic, cannot be excluded
from the larval type (D-VII,11-14 A-13, pect. count?). Some other gobies overlap
the median soft fin ray counts, but all have six first dorsal fin spines:
Oxyurichthys stigmalophius with one more anal than dorsal fin rays (D-13
A-14, Pect-21-22), a few Ctenogobius
spp. (but they have many fewer pectoral fin rays), and Vomerogobius
flavus (D-VI,12-13 A-13, but Pect-15-16). (U) | |
| Note:
Earlier-stage larvae are somewhat different in appearance and it is not
certain that these types all represent the same species. The fin ray count is
somewhat distinctive and all specimens share the count. A 7.1 mm SL larva with
stubs of pelvic fins and melanophores in a row along the ventral midline of the
abdomen and on the dorsal midline of the caudal peduncle resembles a larvae identified
as Bollmannia communis by Ruple 2004 (Richards'
goby chapter), but my larva has melanophores at the base of the lower caudal fin
rays not illustrated by Ruple and one fewer dorsal and anal fin rays. Larger and
transitional specimens, over 9.0 mm SL, are missing the midline abdominal melanophores,
but share with the 7.1 mm SL specimen the fin ray count, the melanophore at the
angle of the jaw, the speckled membrane above the upper eyeball, the caudal peduncle
melanophore (sometimes) and the large slightly underslung mouth, making it likely
that they represent a single series of Bollmannia
spp. The early-stage 5.9 mm SL larva shares the fin ray count and the unusual
irregular eye shape with the 7.1 mm SL specimen. | |
| Description:
Body thin, long and narrow with a large eye and mouth. Pectoral fins long, pelvic
fins long (in larvae above 9 mm SL, stubs in 7.1 mm SL and less), dorsal and anal
fin bases medium length, caudal peduncle long and narrowing rapidly, 8-9 procurrent
caudal fin rays (8 spindly). Lightly marked mostly along the ventral midline:
melanophores in streaks at the posterior isthmus and along the pelvic fin insertion,
then four midline melanophores along the abdomen (only in the 7.1 mm SL larva),
the last just forward of the vent, then a row along the anal fin base behind the
second anal fin element (variably paired, one per side) and then a long streak
extending along the ventral midline of the caudal peduncle ending near the start
of the procurrent caudal fin rays. There are melanophores at the base of some
of the lower segmented caudal fin rays. The only dorsal marking is a melanophore
on the dorsal midline of the caudal peduncle some distance after the last dorsal
fin ray (missing in some individuals). There are melanophores at the angle of
the jaw in the larvae over 7.0 mm SL. There are internal melanophores along the
dorsal surface of the swim bladder and around the gut near the vent. The eye is
unusual, ranging from a large irregular oblong tilted forward with a ventral anterior
indentation in the iris and a posterior-inferior iris extension in earlier-stage
larvae becoming a moderately-narrowed vertical oval in the largest larvae. Larvae
over 7 mm SL also have a speckled "eyebrow" membrane over the upper third of the
eyeball that appears detached from the pigmented iris below. | |
|
|
| Bollmannia boqueronensis
? larva | | 5.9 mm SL |
| earlier stage larva | | San
Blas, Panama, SB84-522 | |  | | |  |
| Bollmannia boqueronensis
larva | | 7.1 mm SL |
second dorsal with 12, A-13 elements
pectoral fin
incomplete but >20 | | San Blas, Panama, SB86-1006 |
|  | | |  | | |  | | |  |
| Bollmannia boqueronensis
larva | | 9.3 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB82-044 | |  | | |  |
| Bollmannia boqueronensis
larvae | | 9.3 and 9.1 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB82-044 |
|  |
| Bollmannia boqueronensis
larva | | 9.1 mm SL |
| note speckled eyebrow membrane |
| San Blas, Panama, SB82-044 | |  |
| Bollmannia boqueronensis
larva | | 9.4 mm SL |
| note dorsal caudal peduncle spot |
| San Blas, Panama, SB81-001 | |  |
| | |
| |
|
| | Diagnosis:
Modal fin ray counts of D-VI,14 and A-15 indicate Gobionellus
oceanicus. This genus typically has one more anal fin ray than second dorsal
fin rays (sometimes equal). A number of other species have spent some time in
this genus, but Pezold 2004 recognizes only one Caribbean species. (U) G9 |
| | Description:
Body thin, very long and narrow with a small eye and a pointed snout with a terminal
large mouth. Pectoral and pelvic fins long relative to the head (but short compared
to the long body), extending more than halfway to the vent. Dorsal and anal fin
bases very long, caudal peduncle short, . Lightly marked along the lower body:
melanophores usually in streaks at the isthmus (often missing) and at the pelvic
fin insertion, internally at the dorsal surface of the swim bladder and around
the gut near the vent, and in a row along the anal fin base, often variably present
and variably paired (can occur on either side unpaired). In many individuals the
surface melanophores are indistinct or some are missing. Series of transitional
larvae show development of the eye from a markedly narrowed vertical oval with
a flattened base, the pupil off-center dorsally, and a pronounced slant backwards
to large and round. The head profile develops from a thin pointed head to a blunt
snout with an almost sub-terminal mouth. Transitional larvae first develop patches
of tiny iridophores on the top of the head and in a stripe behind the eye and
then a scattering of large discrete melanophores on the head. Body markings include
a lateral row of melanophores on each side of the gut strip along the abdomen.
Melanophores develop in patches spaced out along the base of the dorsal fin, on
the caudal peduncle, and at the base of the central caudal fin rays. |
| |
|
| Gobionellus oceanicus larva |
| 12.5 mm SL | | note
eye tilted sharply backward | | San Blas,
Panama, SB81-002 | |  |
Gobionellus oceanicus
larva above
vs. Microgobius signatus
below | | 13.4 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB86-528 | |  |
Gobionellus oceanicus
early transitional larva | | 13.3 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB86-728 |
|  |  | | |  |
| Gobionellus oceanicus
transitional larva | | 13.4 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB86-405 |
|  | | |  |
| Gobionellus oceanicus
transitional larva | | 12.9 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB86-1103 |
|  | | |  | | |  |
| Gobionellus oceanicus
transitional larva | | 12.7 (above) and 12.9
mm SL | | San Blas, Panama, SB86-1103 |
|  |
| Gobionellus oceanicus
transitional larva | | 12.8 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB86-929 |
|  | | |  |
| | |
| | |
|
| | Diagnosis:
Modal fin ray counts of D-VI (last two longest),15-16 A-16-17 and Pect-18-19
and continuous dorsal fins, small eye and short pectoral and pelvic fins indicate
Gobioides broussonnetii. G. grahamae occurs
in Guyana south to Brazil. Akko dionaea, an
obscure mud-bottom brackish-water goby found at the mouth of large rivers in Colombia
and Brazil, has D-VII,15 A-15 Pect-16-18. | |
| |
| |
| | |
| |
|
| | Diagnosis:
Modal fin ray counts of D-VII,16-17 (15-18) A-16-17 (16-19) and Pect-20-24
indicate several Microgobius spp. This genus typically has one more anal
fin ray than dorsal fin rays (but often equal numbers). M.
carri and M.meeki are widespread in
the Caribbean, while M. gulosus (D-VII,15-17
A-16-18 and Pect-20-23) and M. thalassinus
(D-VII,15-17 A-16-17 and Pect-20-22) are more temperate and found in US waters
and the Gulf of Mexico only. M. carri is common on sandy slopes near the
collection site in Panama. (ML) | |
| Description:
Body thin, long and narrow with a large eye and a terminal mouth. Pectoral fins
short, pelvic fins stubs until transition, dorsal and anal fin bases very long,
caudal peduncle very short and narrow, 7-9 procurrent caudal fin rays (7-8 spindly).
Lightly marked along the lower body: melanophores usually in long streaks at the
posterior isthmus, at the pelvic fin insertion and then continuing as an abdominal
midline streak ending about half way between the pelvic fin insertion and the
swim bladder (vs. eleotrids
where it extends to the swim bladder). There is a row of melanophores along the
anal fin base (variably paired, one per side, a few larger ones starting at the
second or third element that are fewer than one per ray, then becoming small and
usually one per ray), and then a streak along the ventral midline of the very
short caudal peduncle ending at the start of the procurrent caudal fin rays. Melanophores
are present on some of the anal fin ray membranes, usually between the first six
elements near the base of the ray (the frequency of occurrence of the anal fin
ray membrane melanophores is uncertain since many larvae have frayed fin rays).
Melanophores are present at the base of most of the lower segmented caudal fin
rays extending a short way out along the rays; in larger individuals there are
melanophores at the base of the central and some of the upper segmented caudal
fin rays as well. Some larger larvae have melanophores at the angle of the jaw
and around the sacculus, but on many larvae these are absent. Internal melanophores
are present at the dorsal surface of the swim bladder and often around the gut
near the vent. Size series of larvae show variable eye shapes: at around 6 mm
SL the eye is round with dorsal and ventral indentations in the iris and a posterior-inferior
exension of the iris, then between 7 and 11 mm SL the eye is a somewhat-narrowed
vertical oval, often tilting slightly forward, with a prominent posterior-inferior
extension of the iris. At transitional sizes (11-15 mm SL), larvae develop large
round eyes. Many larvae have a speckled "eyebrow" membrane over the upper third
of the eyeball that appears detached from the pigmented iris below. Transitional
larvae develop internal melanophores within the caudal peduncle and the pelvic
fins extend in length rapidly. A melanophore appears behind the upper edge of
the operculum above a streak of iridophores. Transitional recruits develop a stripe
from the eye to the caudal peduncle and speckling along the bases of the median
fin rays and a row of melanophores along the lateral wall of the abdomen below
the pectoral fin. | | |
|
| Microgobius carri
transitional larva | | 12.3 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB1-019 | |  |
| Microgobius carri
transitional larva | | 13.2 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB6-1120 | |  | | |  |
| Microgobius carri
transitional recruit | | 14.9 mm SL |
| San Blas, Panama, SB82-033 | |  | | |  |
| | |
| |
|
| | Diagnosis:
Modal fin ray counts of D-VII,18-19 (16-20) A-19 (18-20) Pect-21-22 indicate
Microgobius microlepis. This genus typically
has one more anal fin ray than dorsal fin rays (but often equal numbers). (PE)
G318/19 | | |
| |
| | |
| |
|
|
| | Diagnosis:
Modal fin ray counts of D-VII,20 (19-22) A-21 (20-22) Pect-19-22 indicates
Microgobius signatus and Palatogobius
paradoxus. This genus typically has one more anal fin ray than dorsal
fin rays (but often equal numbers). This larval type is assigned to Microgobius
signatus primarily because these larvae are essentially identical in all
but fin ray counts to those larvae that match the fin ray counts of the other
Microgobius spp. In addition, a more appropriate
larval type with a much longer pelvic fin without a frenum is identified for Palatogobius
paradoxus. Ptereleotris
helenae (previously Ioglossus helenae) has 22 or more second dorsal
fin elements (along with only six first dorsal fin spines and separate pelvic
fins). (U) | |
| Description:
Body thin, long and narrow with a large eye and a large terminal mouth. Pectoral
fins short, pelvic fins stubs, dorsal and anal fin bases very long, caudal peduncle
very short and narrow, procurrent caudal fin rays 7-9 (7-8 spindly). Lightly marked
along the lower body: melanophores usually in long streaks at the posterior isthmus,
at the pelvic fin insertion and then continuing as an abdominal midline streak
ending about half way between the pelvic fin insertion and the swim bladder (vs.
eleotrids where it extends to the swim bladder). There is a row of melanophores
along the anal fin base (variably paired, one per side, a few larger ones starting
at the second or third element that are fewer than one per ray, then becoming
small and usually one per ray), and then a streak along the ventral midline of
the very short caudal peduncle ending at the start of the procurrent caudal fin
rays. Melanophores are present on some of the anal fin ray membranes, usually
between the second and sixth elements, and along the base of some of the lower
segmented caudal fin rays extending a short way out along the rays. The frequency
of occurrence of the anal fin ray membrane melanophores is uncertain, since many
larvae have frayed fin rays. Some larger larvae have melanophores at the angle
of the jaw and around the sacculus, but on many larvae, especially smaller specimens,
these are absent. Internal melanophores are present at the dorsal surface of the
swim bladder and often around the gut near the vent. Size series of larvae show
variable eye shapes at early stages: at around 6 mm SL the eye is round with dorsal
and ventral indentations in the iris and a posterior-inferior exension of the
iris, then between 7 and 11 mm SL the eye is a somewhat-narrowed vertical oval,
often tilting slightly forward, with a prominent posterior-inferior extension
of the iris. Some larvae at this stage have unusual outgrowths, extensions, and
distortions of the eyeball. At transitional sizes (11-13 mm SL), larvae develop
large round eyes. Many larvae have a speckled "eyebrow" membrane over the upper
edge of the eyeball that appears detached from the pigmented iris below. The iris
in this genus has a subtle, yet distinctive, "flat" appearance with a more uniform
shine than is present on the eyes of other goby larvae. | |
|
| |  |
| Microgobius sp. larva |
| 6.6 mm SL | | earlier
stage larva | | San Blas, Panama, SB86-502 |
|  | | |  |
| Microgobius sp. ? larva |
| 6.6 mm SL | | thin
variant, with round eye | | San Blas, Panama,
SB84-522 | |  | | |  |
| Microgobius signatus larva |
| 6.3 mm SL | | note
pigmented membrane above eyeball | | San Blas,
Panama SB87-201 | |  |
| Microgobius signatus larva |
| 8.5 mm SL | | note
pigmented membrane above eyeball | | San Blas,
Panama SB87-228 | |  |
| Microgobius signatus larva
| | 8.9 mm SL | | note
melanophore streak onto pelvic fins | | San
Blas, Panama SB86-503 | |  |
| Microgobius signatus larva |
| 9.4 mm SL | | note
pigmented membrane above eyeball | | San Blas,
Panama SB86-1224 | |  |
| Microgobius signatus larva
| | 10.0 mm SL | | San
Blas, Panama SB86-422 | |  |
| Microgobius signatus
larva | | 11.9 mm SL | | San
Blas, Panama, SB86-502 | |  |
| |
| Microgobius signatus larva |
| 8.0 mm SL | bilateral
eye abnormality: intracranial
and extraorbital extension of the eye |
| San Blas, Panama, SB84-624a | |  | | |  |
| Microgobius sp. larva |
| 5.4 mm SL | | earlier
stage larva eye abnormality | | San Blas,
Panama, SB84-526 | |  | | |  |
| | |
| |
|
| | Diagnosis:
An individual larva with fin ray counts of D-VII,21 A-21 Pect-18 indicates
Palatogobius paradoxus and overlaps the range
for Microgobius signatus.
A more appropriate common larval type is identified as M.
signatus. The soft dorsal fin ray count for P. paradoxus varies
in the literature, but the upper range often includes 21 elements. This larval
type furthermore shares the particularly large round eye and long pelvic fins
reaching to the vent with P. paradoxus (indicative
of a deeper-water species), as well as the fused pelvic fins without a frenum.
The bathydemersal sibling species P. grandoculus
cannot be excluded. Ptereleotris
helenae (previously Ioglossus helenae)
modally has 22 or more second dorsal fin elements (and only six first dorsal fin
spines and separate pelvic fins). (U) | |
| Analogues:
(long goby with long dorsal and anal fins) This larval type has unique
markings for the group, especially a melanophore below the base of the mid-dorsal
fin (in a pre-transitional larva). Body form similar to Microgobius
spp., but no anal fin row of melanophores and a distinctly longer pelvic
fin. | |
| Description:
Body thin, long and narrow with a ve | | | | |
