Suborder GOBIOIDEI

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Suborder GOBIOIDEI

Compiler and date details

23 October 2018 - Douglass F. Hoese

11 April 2015 - Douglass F. Hoese

Introduction

The Gobioidei is one of the largest groups of fish with over 2000 species and with about 1900 currently recognised as valid. The higher classification is still under study and it is likely to change in the future. Previous studies of relationships within the group include those of Miller (1973), Springer (1983), Hoese (1984), Akihito (1986), Birdsong et al. (1988), Harrison (1989), Hoese & Gill (1993), Johnson & Brothers (1993), Akihito et al. (2000), Wang et al. (2001), Thacker (2003), Thacker & Hardman (2005), Thacker (2009), and Thacker & Roji (2011). Agoretta et al. (2013) and Tornabene et al (2013). Hoese & Gill (1993) recognised the families Rhyacichthyidae, Odontobutidae, Gobiidae, Kraemeriidae, Xenisthmidae and Microdesmidae. The Gobiidae were split into three subfamilies Butinae, Eleotridinae and Gobiinae. Hoese & Gill (1993) were not able to show monophyly for the Butinae and they suggested that some of the other families may prove not to be distinct. Johnson & Brothers (1993) assigned Schlinderliidae to the suborder. Wang et al. (2001) provided some evidence for monophyly of the Butinae based on molecular work. Thacker & Hardman (2005) also provided evidence, based on molecular work, for monophyly of the Butinae, but as a sister group to the Gobiinae and distinct from the Eleotridinae. They also indicated that the blind cave genus from Australia, Milyeringa, might be an odontobutid and that the Xenisthmidae belong with the Gobiinae. Subsequent works have placed the Milyeringidae as a distinct family. Thacker (2009) also discussed relationships of the group and relationships within the group. Recent classifications have placed the Microdesmidae and Kraemeriidae as recognised here within the Gobiidae. All classifications produced slightly different grouping, but none of the studies have examined all genera. Recent work including nuclear genes generally have produced groups more consistent with morphological studies. Nelson (1994) followed Hoese & Gill (1993), but recognised the Eleotridae (subfamilies Butinae and Eleotridinae) separate from the family Gobiidae, and subsequently Nelson (2006) recognised the Ptereleotrinae as a separate family from the Microdesmidae. Recent work (Hoese & Motomura 2009 and Agorreta et al 2013) found evidence of a close relationship, with the microdesmines more closely related to some ptereleotrines. Gill & Mooi described the family Thalasseleotrididae as a proposed sister group to Gobiidae. Tornabene et al. (2013) discussed relationships with the Gobiidae. Wiley & Johnson (2010) separated the groups as a separate order the Gobiiformes. We largely retain the classification of Nelson (1994) here, pending publication of morphological studies of R. Mooi and A. Gill and additional molecular studies that are currently underway. There is often convenience in retaining highly specialised groups for identification purposes and these are often preferred by authors of books on fishes. It is likely that some of these very specialised groups will be retained only as informal groups in the future. Relationships and biology of the group is discussed in Patzner et al. (2011).

Species are common in fresh waters and marine environments throughout the world, absent only from the Arctic and Antarctic. In the sea, species are known from a variety of habitats, including mangroves, coral and rock reefs, and the continental shelf and slope to depths of over 800.