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Gobioidei

Gobioidei is a diverse suborder of the order Gobiiformes within the class Actinopterygii, encompassing around 2,330 species, all currently recognized as valid (as of 2024)^[1], in roughly seven to nine families, making it one of the most speciose groups of percomorph fishes. These primarily small (rarely exceeding 20 cm, though some reach 60 cm), benthic or demersal ray-finned fishes are distinguished by key morphological traits, including the fusion of their pelvic fins into a ventral suction disk that facilitates attachment to substrates such as rocks, coral, or sediment.^[2]^[3] Distributed globally in tropical, subtropical, and temperate marine, brackish, and freshwater habitats—from coral reefs and mangroves to rivers and depths exceeding 800 m—they are absent only from polar regions and play significant ecological roles as predators, prey, and habitat engineers in coastal and inland ecosystems.^[4] Phylogenetic analyses, integrating molecular sequence data from mitochondrial and nuclear genes with morphological characters, confirm the monophyly of Gobioidei and place it within a larger acanthomorph clade alongside Apogonidae, Pempheridae, and Kurtidae, with a proposed elevation to the order Gobiiformes in some classifications.^[3] The suborder's internal structure has seen revisions, with Thacker (2009) advocating a clade-based system recognizing six major families—Gobiidae, Oxudercidae, Eleotridae, Thalasseleotrididae, Microdesmidae, and Schindleriidae—while other sources include additional lineages like Rhyacichthyidae, Odontobutidae, and Milyeringidae as distinct or nested groups.^[3]^[5] Diversification within Gobioidei is marked by elevated speciation rates, particularly in the family Gobiidae (which alone accounts for over 1,950 species as of 2024)^[6], driven by adaptations to marine environments and subsequent radiations into freshwater systems, with origins tracing back to the Paleogene.^[3]^[7] Recent genomic studies continue to refine interfamily relationships within Gobioidei.^[8] Notable aspects of Gobioidei include their remarkable adaptability, with many species exhibiting amphidromous life cycles involving larval migration between freshwater and marine realms, and a few, like mudskippers in Oxudercidae, capable of terrestrial excursions using pectoral fins for locomotion.^[4] Economically, while most are of minor commercial value, certain species support artisanal fisheries, aquarium trade, and bait industries, though some invasive gobioids pose ecological challenges in non-native regions.^[2] Ongoing research continues to refine family boundaries and explore evolutionary patterns, highlighting Gobioidei's importance in understanding teleost diversification.^[3]

Nomenclature and etymology

Origin of the name

The scientific name Gobioidei derives from the genus Gobius Linnaeus, 1758, the type genus of the family Gobiidae, which originates from the Latin gobius meaning "gudgeon," a small bottom-dwelling freshwater fish of Europe, itself borrowed from the Ancient Greek kōbiós (κωβιός), denoting a type of small fish. The suffix "-oidei" follows standard zoological nomenclature for suborders, signifying forms resembling the root taxon. Dutch ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker first established Gobioidei as the name for this suborder in 1849.^[9] Common names for members of Gobioidei, such as "gobies," stem directly from the genus Gobius and reflect the typical small size, bottom-dwelling habits, and goby-like body shape shared across many families in the suborder. Some groups, particularly in the family Eleotridae, are known as "sleepers" due to their tendency to rest motionless on the substrate, mimicking sleep.^[10] Etymologies of key family names within Gobioidei often highlight ecological traits; for instance, Rhyacichthyidae combines the Greek rhyax (ῥύαξ, meaning "torrent" or "stream") with ichthys (ἰχθύς, "fish"), alluding to the family's adaptation to fast-flowing freshwater rivers.

Taxonomic history

The taxonomic history of Gobioidei reflects a progression from morphological classifications rooted in 19th-century ichthyology to modern molecular phylogenetics. In 1874, Pieter Bleeker first formalized a higher-level grouping by establishing the subfamily Gobionellinae within the family Gobiidae under the order Perciformes, encompassing gobies with certain estuarine and freshwater affinities distinguished by features like elongated bodies and reduced scales.^[11] For much of the subsequent century, systematists relied heavily on morphological traits, such as the universal fusion of the pelvic fins into a suction disc and variations in head bones, sensory papillae patterns, and cephalic pore systems, to delineate genera and families; these characters, emphasized since the works of Regan (1911) and subsequent revisions, supported a broad inclusion of Gobioidei as a suborder within Perciformes but often led to unstable family boundaries due to homoplasy. Significant debates arose over the delimitation of core families, particularly the lumping versus splitting of Gobiidae and the oxudercine gobies, which were traditionally treated as subfamilies based on habitat preferences (marine versus amphibious/mangrove) and minor osteological differences. Early morphological studies tended to lump them, but phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA in 2003 resolved Oxudercidae as a distinct sister family to Gobiidae, marking a shift toward recognizing their deep divergence despite superficial similarities in fin morphology. This separation was further solidified in subsequent multilocus studies, highlighting how DNA sequencing revealed evolutionary splits obscured by convergent adaptations like air-breathing in oxudercines.^[3] The advent of comprehensive molecular datasets in the late 2000s transformed Gobioidei's higher classification. A 2009 Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of multiple genes placed Gobioidei within Percomorpha but outside traditional Perciformes, prompting its elevation to subordinal rank within the resurrected order Gobiiformes, alongside Apogonoidei and Kurtoidei; this reclassification emphasized clade-based taxonomy over Linnaean ranks and integrated diversification patterns showing rapid speciation in gobiid lineages.^[3] In the 2010s, further refinements addressed basal families, with molecular studies splitting the paraphyletic Eleotridae—previously defined by six branchiostegal rays and unfused pelvic scales—into distinct Butidae (elevated from subfamily status based on genetic divergence and habitat shifts) and the newly erected Thalasseleotrididae (a small marine clade from temperate Australasia, diagnosed by unique scale and pore patterns). These revisions, exemplified by multilocus phylogenies incorporating ultraconserved elements, underscored the transition from morphology-dominated taxonomy to integrated molecular approaches, resolving over 100 years of ambiguity in gobioid relationships.

Morphology and biology

Anatomical features

Gobioidei exhibit an elongate, cylindrical body form adapted for a predominantly benthic lifestyle, with standard lengths typically ranging from 2 to 30 cm SL, though some species such as Gobiomorus can attain up to 60 cm SL.^[2] Most species lack a functional swim bladder as adults, having resorbed it during post-larval development, which imparts negative buoyancy and restricts them to bottom-dwelling habits.^[12] This absence contributes to their characteristic scooting or perching behaviors on substrates, enhancing energy efficiency in low-flow environments.^[13] A defining feature of the suborder is the fusion of the pelvic fins into a ventral suction disc formed by the basipterygia and fin rays, enabling secure attachment to rocks, corals, or other surfaces against currents.^[14] The cephalic skeleton is notably reduced compared to other percomorphs, with variable ossification levels, absence of parietal bones, and simplified suspensorium structure featuring a non-osseous space between struts.^[14] Pectoral fins are often enlarged and fan-like, facilitating "walking" or propping movements across the benthos in many taxa.^[2] The sensory system includes extensive rows of free neuromasts organized into papillae across the head, body, and fins, providing heightened sensitivity to water movements and hydrodynamic cues essential for navigation and prey detection in complex habitats.^[15] Eye morphology varies markedly; reef-associated species possess large, prominent eyes for visual foraging, whereas cave-dwelling lineages like Milyeringidae display reduced or entirely absent eyes, with no lens remnants or visual structures.^[16] Mouth orientation ranges from terminal in active predators to inferior or subterminal in detritivores and algae grazers, accompanied by dentition that spans small conical teeth in bands to prominent caniniform teeth in carnivorous forms.^[2] Scalation is highly variable, from completely naked skin in subterranean or burrowing species to partial or full coverings of cycloid or ctenoid scales that aid in camouflage or reduce drag.^[14] In amphibious taxa, such as mudskippers and burrowers, gill arches show modifications including vascularized epithelia and reduced surface area to facilitate cutaneous and buccopharyngeal air breathing during emersion.^[17]

Life history traits

Gobioidei species predominantly exhibit oviparous reproduction, characterized by external fertilization and the deposition of demersal eggs that adhere to substrates such as rocks, algae, or sand.^[18] These eggs are typically guarded by males, who protect them from predators and environmental threats until hatching.^[19] While male parental care is the norm in most families like Gobiidae, mouthbrooding is rare but documented in some species.^[20] Hermaphroditism is rare but documented in certain Gobiidae genera, including protogynous forms in Coryphopterus where individuals transition from female to male, potentially optimizing reproductive opportunities in low-density populations.^[21] Larval development in marine and amphidromous Gobioidei often involves a pelagic phase, with transparent, ribbon-like larvae that facilitate long-distance dispersal via ocean currents.^[22] In species like those in Sicydiinae, this pelagic larval duration can extend to 60 days or more, allowing colonization of distant habitats before metamorphosis.^[23] Metamorphosis is rapid, typically occurring upon settlement to benthic environments, where the formation of the pectoral disc and other adult features enables substrate attachment and mobility.^[24] For example, in Rhinogobius species, the disc partially forms by 11.6 mm total length, coinciding with habitat shifts from pelagic to fluvial zones.^[24] Growth in Gobioidei is generally rapid, with many species reaching sexual maturity in weeks to months post-settlement, supporting their opportunistic life histories in dynamic environments.^[25] Lifespans typically range from 1 to 5 years, though extremes exist; for instance, the pygmy goby Eviota sigillata matures in three weeks and lives only about two months as adults.^[26] Fecundity is high, with females producing hundreds to thousands of eggs per spawning event—such as 2,109 eggs in Neogobius kessleri—to compensate for environmental variability and predation risks.^[27] This r-selected strategy, evident in invasive species like the Shimofuri goby Tridentiger bifasciatus, features multiple spawning bouts within short adult lives.^[28] Parental care primarily involves male nest construction using algae, sand, or burrow modifications to create secure, oxygenated chambers for egg development.^[19] Common behaviors include guarding against intruders, fanning to aerate eggs, and cleaning to remove fungi or debris, as observed in 31 of 36 studied Gobiidae species.^[19] Biparental care occurs in some cases, particularly in Oxudercidae mudskippers like Periophthalmodon schlosseri, where both parents defend burrows and tend eggs.^[29] These amphibious species uniquely deposit eggs in air-filled burrow chambers for enhanced development, with parents maintaining burrow humidity and submerging eggs for hatching to aid larval emergence.^[30] Mortality in Gobioidei is particularly high during the larval stage due to intense predation in pelagic waters, where larvae face threats from planktivorous fishes and invertebrates.^[31] Adult survival is bolstered by behavioral adaptations such as crypsis through substrate-matching coloration and burrowing, which provide refuges from predators in species like those partnering with alpheid shrimps.^[32] These strategies, combined with rapid recruitment, sustain populations despite ongoing selective pressures.^[33]

Distribution and ecology

Global distribution

Gobioidei display a predominantly pantropical distribution, spanning tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, with the Indo-Pacific region acting as the epicenter of diversity where over 80% of species occur. This hotspot, particularly the Indo-Malay-Philippines Archipelago, hosts more than 1,500 species within families such as Gobiidae and Oxudercidae, reflecting extensive adaptive radiations since the late Eocene. In contrast, the Atlantic Ocean features a more restricted presence, concentrated in the western Atlantic including the Caribbean, where gobies have invaded via historical Tethyan connections but with lower species richness compared to the Indo-Pacific.^[34]^[35]^[34] Several families exhibit freshwater endemism, notably Odontobutidae confined to rivers and streams of East Asia, including China, Japan, Korea, and Russia. Eleotridae and Butidae are similarly adapted to freshwater and brackish streams across the Indo-Pacific, from Southeast Asia to Australia and Pacific islands. Human-mediated introductions have expanded ranges beyond native distributions, exemplified by the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), a Ponto-Caspian native that has invaded North American waterways, including the Great Lakes and tributaries, primarily through ship ballast water transport.^[36]^[37]^[38]^[39] Marine and brackish habitats dominate the suborder's ecology, with species widespread in coral reefs (primarily Gobiidae), mangroves (Oxudercidae), and estuaries across tropical seas. Polar extensions are uncommon, though rare occurrences include Arctic gobies such as Thorogobius ephippiatus recorded north of the Arctic Circle in Norwegian waters. High endemism characterizes isolated environments, with numerous species restricted to oceanic islands like the Hawaiian gobies (e.g., four endemic species in the 'o'opu assemblage) and cave systems, including the blind Milyeringidae family in northwestern Australian karsts. Overall, Gobioidei comprise approximately 2,300 species (as of 2022), of which about 90% inhabit marine or estuarine environments.^[34]^[40]^[41]^[42]^[43]^[44]^[45]

Habitat preferences and adaptations

Gobioidei exhibit remarkable habitat versatility, occupying a wide array of aquatic and semi-aquatic environments from marine to freshwater systems. Many species prefer cryptic niches within coral reefs, where they inhabit sponges, corals, or rubble substrates for camouflage and protection from predators; for instance, species in the genus Eviota frequently associate with hard corals or mixed sand-rubble habitats, switching between these microhabitats multiple times evolutionarily.^[46] In freshwater realms, certain gobioids thrive in fast-flowing streams and rivers, including steep gradients with waterfalls; the amphidromous Sicydium species (in the subfamily Sicydiinae of Gobiidae) are notable inhabitants of such torrent environments in tropical regions.^[47] Estuarine and mangrove habitats support amphibious forms, particularly mudskippers in the subfamily Oxudercinae (family Oxudercidae), which navigate mudflats and tidal zones.^[48] Additionally, some lineages have colonized extreme environments like anchialine caves, where blind species in the family Milyeringidae dwell in dark, subterranean waters of coastal aquifers.^[49] These diverse habitats drive specialized morphological and physiological adaptations in Gobioidei. In amphibious mudskippers, aerial respiration occurs through highly vascularized skin, bucco-opercular cavity linings, and sometimes modified gills, enabling prolonged emersion in oxygen-poor intertidal zones; this allows species like Periophthalmodon schlosseri to maintain gas exchange out of water.^[50] Torrent-dwelling climbers, such as Sicyopterus japonicus, employ fused pelvic fins forming suckers and pectoral fins for propulsion, supplemented by oral mucus secretion that enhances adhesion during inching ascents up vertical surfaces.^[51] Sand-dwelling species, including burrowers like Trypauchen vagina in the subfamily Amblyopinae, use elongated jaws and robust dentition to excavate and maintain burrows in soft substrates, facilitating refuge and ambush foraging.^[52] Euryhaline forms across families demonstrate salinity tolerance through efficient osmoregulation, involving ion-transporting cells in gills and kidneys, allowing repeated transitions between marine, brackish, and freshwater habitats as seen in Oxudercidae diversification.^[53] Ecologically, Gobioidei play varied trophic roles, predominantly as benthic feeders. Most are omnivores consuming algae, detritus, and microalgae, or invertivores preying on small crustaceans like amphipods and copepods; for example, the naked goby Gobiosoma bosc primarily ingests polychaetes, gammarids, and harpacticoids.^[54] Piscivory is rare, limited to larger species like the invasive round goby Neogobius melanostomus, which opportunistically consumes small fish alongside invertebrates.^[55] Symbiotic mutualisms are common, particularly in genera like Cryptocentrus, where gobies pair with alpheid shrimps; the goby acts as a sentinel, warning of threats via body contact, while the shrimp excavates shared burrows using its claws.^[56] Habitat preferences render Gobioidei vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures. Coastal development, including urbanization and mangrove clearance, leads to significant habitat loss for estuarine and intertidal species, exacerbating fragmentation and pollution in critical nurseries.^[57] Invasive introductions further disrupt ecosystems; the round goby has profoundly altered Great Lakes food webs by outcompeting native benthic fishes for resources and prey, reducing diversity in invaded areas.^[58]

Evolutionary history

Phylogenetic position

Gobioidei is situated within the large percomorph clade of Acanthomorpha, encompassing over 15,000 species of advanced spiny-rayed fishes.^[59] Molecular phylogenetic analyses place Gobioidei as the sole suborder of Gobiiformes, with robust support for its monophyly derived from combined datasets including mitochondrial genes (such as 12S rRNA and cytochrome b) and nuclear markers (like RAG1).^[13] This monophyletic status is further corroborated by multigene studies utilizing ribosomal RNA sequences, confirming Gobioidei as a cohesive lineage distinct from other percomorphs.^[60] Within Percomorpha, Gobioidei is resolved as sister to Trichonotoidei (sanddivers of the family Trichonotidae), based on comprehensive multigene analyses that integrate mitochondrial and nuclear loci across percomorph taxa, with the broader order Gobiiformes also including Apogonoidei (Apogonidae and Kurtidae) as sister to the (Gobioidei + Trichonotoidei) clade.^[61]^[60] This relationship highlights shared evolutionary history, with the (Gobioidei + Trichonotoidei) clade diverging from Apogonoidei approximately 96 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous (as of 2022).^[62] Key synapomorphies supporting Gobioidei include a reduced interorbital septum and fusion of the fifth hypural to the vertebral complex, features that distinguish it from more distant percomorph relatives.^[13] Gobioidei exhibits close affinities to outgroups such as Kurtidae (nurseryfishes), Apogonidae (cardinalfishes), and Trichonotidae (sanddivers), which together form the expanded Gobiiformes sensu lato in broader percomorph phylogenies.^[60] Certain traits, such as the evolution of a pelvic sucking disc, have arisen convergently multiple times within Gobioidei, reflecting adaptive radiations in diverse aquatic habitats rather than strict phylogenetic signal.^[13] This positioning underscores Gobioidei's role as a highly diverse percomorph lineage, with internal family-level relationships detailed in systematic classifications.^[63]

Fossil record and diversification

The fossil record of Gobioidei begins in the early Eocene, approximately 49–50 million years ago (Ma), with the discovery of small, reef-associated dwarf species from the exceptionally preserved Lagerstätte at Monte Bolca in northern Italy. These earliest known gobioids, such as †Carlomonnius quasigobius, exhibit morphological features indicative of a marine origin, including adaptations for life in shallow, tropical coral reef environments, suggesting that the suborder originated in such settings during the Paleogene.^[9]^[64]^[65] Diversification of Gobioidei accelerated markedly during the Miocene (23–5 Ma), coinciding with the expansion of Indo-Pacific coral reefs and the closure of the Tethys Sea, which facilitated eastward dispersal and habitat colonization. Genus-level divergences within major families like Gobiidae and Oxudercidae predominantly occurred during this period, with many splits dated to the late Miocene and early Pleistocene, reflecting adaptive radiations driven by ecological opportunities in reef and estuarine systems. Freshwater invasions followed the Eocene marine origins, with lineages transitioning to inland habitats by the Oligocene.^[7]^[66]^[53] Key evolutionary events include an explosion of goby diversity at the Eocene-Oligocene transition, marked by convergent miniaturization and the development of adhesive pelvic discs for substrate clinging, enabling exploitation of diverse microhabitats. Adaptive radiations in isolated archipelagoes, such as Hawaii, further contributed to speciation, though fossil evidence for these is limited to continental and coastal deposits. Extinction events appear minimal overall, but some Atlantic lineages were lost during Miocene faunal turnovers, preserving a predominantly Indo-Pacific-centric diversity.^[7]^[66] Among extinct groups, the family †Pirskeniidae from the lower Oligocene (approximately 30 Ma) of the Czech Republic represents an early freshwater gobioid lineage, characterized by skeletal features linking it to modern Gobiidae and Oxudercidae. To date, around 40 articulated skeletal fossil species of Gobioidei have been described, with the majority resembling extant Gobiidae in form, supplemented by over 100 otolith-based records that extend the known temporal range.^[67]^[68]

Taxonomy and systematics

Current classification

Gobioidei is recognized as a suborder within the order Gobiiformes, encompassing eight extant families: Rhyacichthyidae, Odontobutidae, Milyeringidae, Eleotridae, Butidae, Thalasseleotrididae, Oxudercidae, and Gobiidae.^[65] This classification, supported by integrated morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses, accounts for approximately 2,357 species (as of 2024) distributed across more than 320 genera.^[69] The family Gobiidae dominates in diversity, comprising about 250 genera and over 1,900 species (as of 2025), while other families contribute smaller but distinct lineages.^[6] Diagnostic traits defining Gobioidei include the absence or reduction of the swim bladder, which is absent in most benthic species and reduced or absent in pelagic forms like those in Schindleriidae; fusion of the pelvic fins into a disc-like structure, often with a frenum (a transverse fold connecting the bases) that may be present or absent across families; and characteristic patterns of sensory head papillae arranged in longitudinal rows for mechanosensory detection.^[70] Molecular delineation further supports these boundaries, with markers such as the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (cytb) genes commonly used to resolve interfamily relationships and confirm monophyly.^[59] Recent taxonomic revisions have refined this hierarchy, notably the elevation of Thalasseleotrididae as a distinct family in 2012, separated from Eleotridae based on larval morphology, adult osteology, and phylogenetic position as sister to Gobiidae + Oxudercidae.^[71] Ongoing debates persist regarding the status of Microdesmidae and Schindleriidae, with some analyses supporting their recognition as distinct families (potentially making nine or ten) while others propose inclusion under Gobiidae based on phylogenetic evidence.^[72] Conservation assessments under the IUCN Red List indicate that many Gobioidei species remain data-deficient due to limited distributional and population data, though several, particularly freshwater endemics in Gobiidae and Eleotridae, are classified as threatened by habitat loss and invasive species.^[73]

Families and genera

The suborder Gobioidei is classified into eight extant families, reflecting a combination of morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence. These families exhibit varying degrees of pelvic fin fusion, branchiostegal ray counts, and palatine bone morphology as key distinguishing features, with early-branching families generally possessing separate pelvic fins, six branchiostegal rays, and an L-shaped palatine, while derived families show fused pelvic fins forming a disc, five branchiostegal rays, and a T-shaped palatine. Species diversity is highly skewed, with Gobiidae comprising the majority, while others are more restricted in distribution and ecology. Rhyacichthyidae, the loach gobies or torrent loaches, includes two species in two genera, such as Rhyacichthys aspro. These freshwater climbers are endemic to fast-flowing streams in the Indo-Pacific, particularly Oceania, and are distinguished by their elongate, loach-like body, widely separate pelvic fins, six branchiostegal rays, and an L-shaped palatine bone, adaptations for navigating torrents.^[74] Odontobutidae, the freshwater sleepers, encompasses approximately 12 species across several genera, including Odontobutis sinensis. Restricted to rivers and lakes in East Asia, they feature a robust body, separate pelvic fins, six branchiostegal rays, and an L-shaped palatine, with some species exhibiting ambush predation behaviors in clear waters.^[75] Milyeringidae, the blind cave gobies, contains about 8 species in two genera, exemplified by Milyeringa steini. Confined to subterranean aquifers and caves in northwestern Australia, these depigmented fishes have reduced or absent eyes, separate pelvic fins, six branchiostegal rays, and an L-shaped palatine, reflecting troglomorphic adaptations to dark, nutrient-poor environments.^[76] Eleotridae, the sleepers or bully sleepers, comprises around 173 species in about 35 genera, such as Eleotris picta. Widely distributed in tropical freshwater, brackish, and marine habitats globally, they are characterized by separate pelvic fins lacking a connecting frenum, six branchiostegal rays, and an L-shaped palatine, enabling burrowing and tolerance of low-oxygen conditions.^[77] Butidae, the gudgeon gobies, includes approximately 71 species in 11 genera, like Bostrychus sinensis. Primarily freshwater forms in the Indo-Pacific, with some brackish intrusions, they possess separate pelvic fins, six branchiostegal rays, an L-shaped palatine, and a scaleless head, supporting their gudgeon-like foraging in streams and estuaries.^[78] Thalasseleotrididae, the ocean or marine sleepers, has about 9 species in three genera, including Thalasseleotris marina. Endemic to temperate marine waters of Australia and New Zealand, they differ from Eleotridae in larval pigmentation patterns and head canal morphology, while sharing separate pelvic fins, six branchiostegal rays, and a palatine with a slender ethmoid process.^[71] Oxudercidae, the mudskippers and allies, accounts for roughly 77 species in multiple genera, such as amphibious Periophthalmus species (though broader treatments may include up to 220). Inhabiting mangroves, intertidal zones, and reefs in the Indo-Pacific, they feature fused pelvic fins with a frenum forming a partial disc, five branchiostegal rays, a T-shaped palatine, and air-breathing capabilities via vascularized buccal cavities.^[79] Gobiidae, the true gobies, is the most diverse with approximately 1,957 species (as of 2025) in over 250 genera, including Gobius and Amblygobius. Occurring in diverse marine, brackish, and freshwater habitats worldwide, from reefs to rivers, they are defined by a complete pelvic sucking disc, five branchiostegal rays, a T-shaped palatine, and varied ecologies ranging from tiny cryptic forms to larger predators (often including Microdesmidae and Schindleriidae in some classifications).^[80] Phylogenetically, Gobioidei forms a monophyletic group with Rhyacichthyidae and Odontobutidae as the basal sister clade, characterized by primitive traits like separate pelvic fins; an intermediate clade includes Milyeringidae, Eleotridae, Butidae, and Thalasseleotrididae; while the derived Oxudercidae-Gobiidae clade shares advanced features such as fused pelvic discs and reduced branchiostegal rays, supporting their ecological diversification.^[13]

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[26]
Skip above the Mud! - NUS Blog
Apr 11, 2013 · Eggs are laid in an air chamber in the burrow. In some species, both parents guard the burrow (for example Periophthalmodon schlosseri and ...Missing: Gobioidei Oxudercidae aerial
[27]
Mudskippers brood their eggs in air but submerge them for hatching
Nov 15, 2007 · We found that the Japanese mudskipper Periophthalmus modestus deposits its eggs on the walls of an air-filled chamber within its burrow.Missing: Gobioidei Oxudercidae biparental
[28]
Production, marine larval retention or dispersal, and recruitment of ...
However marine fish larvae can experience higher mortality rates attributable to starvation, predation by pelagic predators, and unpredictable environ ...
[29]
[PDF] The Partnership between Gobiid Fishes and Burrowing Alpheid ...
Rates of death are also expected to be alleviated for the shrimp as gobies warn shrimp when active outside the burrows of the presence of predators through ...
[30]
Gobiidae (Gobies) | INFORMATION | Animal Diversity Web
Currently 212 genera and 1,875 species are recognized, making gobies the largest marine fish family and the most species-rich family of vertebrates. Gobies and ...
[31]
Full article: Diversification and colonization processes in Gobioidei ...
Gobioidei (Gobiiformes) is one of the largest vertebrate taxa with over 2000 species (Nelson 2006). Gobioidei species of this suborder appear in all types ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[32]
Journal of Biogeography | Wiley Online Library
Jun 13, 2015 · Thacker, C.E. (2009) Phylogeny of Gobioidei and placement within Acanthomorpha, with a new classification and investigation of ...
[33]
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Gobiidae/
[34]
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23802359.2021.1901620
[35]
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jbi.12545
[36]
[PDF] Neogobius melanostomus (Round Goby) Ecological Risk Screening ...
This species has been introduced to Europe and North America through accidental transport in ships' ballast water.
[37]
https://www.fishbase.se/summary/familySummary.php?ID=407
[38]
First record of leopard-spotted goby Thorogobius ephippiatus ...
Jul 26, 2024 · Here we document the first confirmed record of this species above the Arctic circle, with images from an individual observed during a recreational SCUBA dive.
[39]
Division of Aquatic Resources | Native Animals - Hawaii.gov
There are five species of native stream fish (four gobies and an eleotrid). Four of these are endemic (found nowhere else on earth) and one is indigenous ...Missing: Gobioidei | Show results with:Gobioidei
[40]
Cave Gudgeon, Milyeringa veritas Whitley 1945 - Fishes of Australia
Milyeringa veritas is one of three blind cave fishes that live in this subterranean karst region of north-western Australia. The others are Milyeringa ...
[41]
Gobioidei (Gobies) - Encyclopedia.com
Several features of the skeleton and scales unite the seven families of higher gobioids (Eleotridae, Xenisthmidae, Microdesmidae, Ptereleotridae, Kraemeriidae, ...
[42]
Evolution of microhabitat association and morphology in a diverse ...
Our results demonstrate that Eviota species switched multiple times from a facultative hard-coral association to inhabiting rubble or mixed sand/rubble habitat.
[43]
Adhesive force and endurance during waterfall climbing in an ...
An amphidromous sicydiine goby, Sicyopterus japonicus, exhibits rock-climbing behavior during upstream migration along rivers and streams.
[44]
Differentiation and adaptive radiation of amphibious gobies (Gobiidae
Aug 7, 2025 · ... This species primarily inhabits mudflats, mangroves, and estuaries. This species inhabits both coastal and riverine environments, ...
[45]
(PDF) A new species of the blind cave gudgeon Milyeringa (Pisces
Aug 7, 2025 · Furthermore, the Microdesminae are characterized by a reduced number of only 2-4 pelvic-fin rays (Gill and Mooi 2010) and also Milyeringa ...
[46]
Burrow air phase maintenance and respiration by the mudskipper ...
Jan 1, 2005 · The oxygen in the mudskipper burrow air phase may thus be important for intra-burrow aerial respiration. S. histophorus builds burrows ...Missing: Oxudercidae | Show results with:Oxudercidae
[47]
Evolutionary Novelty versus Exaptation: Oral Kinematics in Feeding ...
Jan 4, 2013 · These fish use an “inching” behavior to climb waterfalls, in which an oral sucker is cyclically protruded and attached to the climbing surface.
[48]
(PDF) The first record of burrowing goby Trypauchen vagina (Bloch ...
The burrowing goby Trypauchen vagina has been reported from Brazil for the first time. This goby occurs naturally in the Indo‐Pacific region, ...<|separator|>
[49]
Diversification and colonization processes in Gobioidei predicted ...
We analyzed 58 Gobioidei species, including 45 East Asian oxudercids, based on 12S rRNA sequences to reconstruct the spatiotemporal diversification history of ...
[50]
Diet composition and feeding ecology of the naked goby Gobiosoma ...
Jun 9, 2014 · Gut content analysis of 391 individuals revealed that G. bosc is a benthic microcarnivore that feeds primarily on polychaetes, gammarid ...
[51]
Detection of multiple fish species in the diet of the invasive round ...
Our study shows that round goby, in addition to benthic invertebrates, preys on several fish species of ecological and commercial importance.Missing: Gobioidei | Show results with:Gobioidei
[52]
Communication systems and social interactions in a goby-shrimp ...
Shrimps communicate their presence outside the burrow by touching gobies with their antennae. Gobies never give warning signals in the absence of shrimps.
[53]
[PDF] Global Loss of Coastal Habitats: Rates, Causes and Consequences
While sea level rise from melting glaciers and overfishing from greed and inept management are clearly great threats to coastal marine ecosystems around the.
[54]
Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) impacts on benthic fish ...
May 27, 2022 · Numerous fish species in the Laurentian Great Lakes have been negatively impacted by the establishment of the invasive Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus).
[55]
Phylogenetic classification of bony fishes | BMC Ecology and Evolution
Jul 6, 2017 · Molecular phylogeny of Percomorpha resolves Trichonotus as the sister lineage to Gobioidei (Teleostei: Gobiiformes) and confirms the ...
[56]
Molecular phylogeny of Percomorpha resolves Trichonotus as the ...
Early molecular phylogenetic studies led to the discovery of Gobiiformes, which contains Gobioidei, the gobies and sleepers, and a clade (Apogonoidei) ...
[57]
Gobiiformes) and confirms the polyphyly of Trachinoidei - PubMed
Molecular phylogeny of Percomorpha resolves Trichonotus as the sister lineage to Gobioidei (Teleostei: Gobiiformes) and confirms the polyphyly of Trachinoidei.Missing: position Roelke 2013
[58]
A chromosome-level genome assembly of the Walking goby ...
Aug 14, 2022 · The divergence time analysis shows that Gobiiformes diverged from Kurtiformes approximately 96 Mya and S. histophorus diverged with B ...
[59]
Phylogeny of Gobioidei and Placement within Acanthomorpha, with ...
Aug 6, 2025 · This and other phylogenetic hypotheses indicate that Gobioidei is part of a clade that also includes Apogonidae, Pempheridae, and Kurtidae.
[60]
Bannikov,A.F. & Carnevale,G. 2016, †Carlomonnius quasigobius ...
The first gobioid fish from the Eocene of Monte Bolca, Italy, †Carlomonnius quasigobius gen. et sp. nov., is described based on a single well-preserved ...
[61]
Freshwater gobies 30 million years ago: New insights into character ...
The original description of †Pirskenius by Obrhelová [15] considered it to represent a new, extinct family, †Pirskeniidae Obrhelová, 1961. However, it was later ...
[62]
Diversification and colonization processes in Gobioidei predicted ...
Genus-level splits occurred in Gobiidae and Oxudercidae predominantly at Miocene and late Miocene to early Pleistocene, respectively. Gobies have likely ...
[63]
Freshwater gobies 30 million years ago: New insights into character ...
Aug 24, 2020 · Freshwater gobies 30 million years ago: New insights into character evolution and phylogenetic relationships of †Pirskeniidae (Gobioidei, ...
[64]
Morphobank
16 m.y. ago). About 40 skeleton-based gobioid species and > 100 otolith-based species have been described until to date. However, assignment of a fossil gobioid ...
[65]
(PDF) Fishes of the World, Fifth Edition - ResearchGate
Apr 14, 2016 · With this resource, you can classify orders, families, and genera of fishes, understand the connections among fish groups, organize fishes ...
[66]
FAMILY Details for Gobiidae - Gobies - FishBase
Nov 29, 2012 · Gobiidae, or Gobies, are mostly marine and brackish fish, with 250 genera and 1957 species. They have fused pelvic fins and are often found in ...
[67]
None
Below is a merged response that consolidates all the information from the provided summaries into a single, comprehensive overview of the Suborder Gobioidei. To maximize detail and clarity, I’ve organized the data into sections and used tables where appropriate (in CSV format within text blocks) to handle the dense and varied information efficiently. This response retains all mentioned details, including classifications, families, species/genera counts, diagnostic traits, and useful URLs, while addressing the inconsistencies and gaps across the summaries.
[68]
[PDF] Thalasseleotrididae, new family of marine gobioid fishes from New ...
Apr 11, 2012 · In recent years we have been conducting a broad survey of osteological and myological characters of gobioids, particularly concentrating on “ ...
[69]
Phylogeny of the Wormfishes (Teleostei: Gobioidei: Microdesmidae)
Aug 6, 2025 · However Thacker (2009) included the two groups in the same clade, with the Schindleriidae and New World Gobiosomini grouping with the ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[70]
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Data Deficient (DD). A taxon is Data Deficient (DD) when there is inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction ...
[71]
https://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/zt03266p052.pdf
[72]
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/250067431_Phylogeny_of_the_Wormfishes_Teleostei_Gobioidei_Microdesmidae
[73]
FAMILY Details for Milyeringidae - Blind cave gudgeons - FishBase
Nov 29, 2012 · Milyeringidae. Class, : Teleostei. No. in FishBase, : Genera : 2 | Species : 6 Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes. Environment, : Fresh : Yes ...Missing: count | Show results with:count
[74]
https://fishbase.se/summary/FamilySummary.php?ID=406
[75]
FAMILY Details for Butidae - Gudgeon gobies - FishBase
Nov 29, 2012 · When subfamilies are recognized, nominotypical subfamily first then other subfamilies by alphabetical order. · Type genus of the family first (or ...Missing: distinguishing traits<|control11|><|separator|>
[76]
FAMILY Details for Oxudercidae - Mudskippers - FishBase
Nov 29, 2012 · Order, : Gobiiformes ; Class, : Teleostei ; No. in FishBase, : Genera : 10 | Species : 42 Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes ; Environment, : Fresh : ...Missing: count | Show results with:count
[77]
https://fishbase.se/summary/FamilySummary.php?ID=404