The first record of Gobius incognitus (Actinopterygii: Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) from Malta

Abstract

The first record of Gobius incognitus Kovačić & Šanda, 2016 was reported from Malta. Two specimens were collected at the island of Gozo and stored as unidentified in 2012, several years before the description of Gobius incognitus. A decade later the material was finally identified based on morphology and coloration pattern of preserved specimens. The habitat preferences and geographic distribution of this species are discussed.

The first confirmed record of Pomatoschistus marmoratus (Risso, 1810) (Actinopterygii: Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) from Malta

“…The present record represents the first confirmed record of P. marmoratus from Malta, increasing the total number of confirmed gobiid species from Malta to 22, while eight more gobiid species remain questioned for the area, still lacking the evidence from voucher specimens or from photographs (present data, KOVAČIĆ & SCHEMBRI, 2019;KOVAČIĆ & KOVTUN, 2022).…”

Cytochrome b Sequencing as a Tool for Identification of Morphologically Similar Mediterranean Gobies Gobius incognitus and Gobius bucchichi (Actinopterygii: Gobiidae)

“…After the discovery and description of G. incognitus by Kovačić & Šanda [18], the distribution of both species was questioned. Almost a decade after the description of G. incognitus, we can state that only several publications have provided unambiguous distribution data, accompanied by appropriate identification [4,18,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28], while other works, even those recently published, continue to report only G. bucchichi [60][61][62], probably being unaware of the description of G. incognitus.…”

“…While the newly described G. incognitus is widespread throughout the Mediterranean Sea, reaching the Atlantic Ocean in the Gibraltar straight region [20], G. bucchichi was confirmed only in a few scattered areas in the northern part of the Mediterranean Sea (in the Adriatic, Ionian, and Aegean Seas), and the Marmara and Black Seas [20]. However, the studies differentiating both species and providing reliable data about the exact distribution of either of these species were based mostly on morphological evidence: either on morphological examination or on photographic evidence [18,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27], while the genetic methods were used only scarcely and on very limited amounts of material [4,18,28]. Even though these two gobies have no economic value, their biogeography is of particular interest, especially in the case of G. bucchichi, which seems to have a unique distribution pattern among the Mediterranean gobies [20].…”

The Second Record of Gymnesigobius medits Kovačić, Ordines, Ramirez-Amaro & Schliewen, 2019, the Deepest Benthic Gobiiform Species, and the Additional Records of Gobius xoriguer Iglésias, Vukić & Šanda, 2021 (Actinopterygii: Gobiiformes: Gobiidae)

“…Samples from MEDITS surveys, aimed at assessing the exploitation state of demersal ecosystems and resources in the Mediterranean, were collected using the experimental bottom trawl GOC-73, described in Bertrand et al [16]. [14], and (•) present records. For Gy.…”

“…All six species are small sized, even for gobiid standards, and have shape and colouration adaptations to deep habitats. Among them, Buenia massutii Kovačić, Ordines & Schliewen, 2017, Speleogobius llorisi Kovačić, Ordines & Schliewen, 2016 and Gobius xoriguer Iglésias, Vukić & Šanda 2021 were additionally recorded shortly after their description [11][12][13][14], while Buenia lombartei Kovačić, Ordines & Schliewen, 2018; Gymnesigobius medits Kovačić, Ordines, Ramirez-Amaro & Schliewen, 2019 and Lebetus patzneri Schliewen, Kovačić & Ordines, 2019 still wait records following the description.…”