Reassessment of Family Gobiidae: Morphological Variations and Molecular Phylogeny of Selected Genera

Abstract

The Family Gobiidae is without doubt one of the largest and most diverse families of fish and displays an 
extraordinary range of morphological and ecological adaptations in marine, freshwater, and brackish water 
habitats. This paper re-defines taxonomic positions, phylogenetic history and roles of the selected genera in the 
family through the use of morphological data in combination with molecular phylogenetic data. Early, 
conventional methods of classifying taxonomic groups were problematic due to issues of convergent evolution 
and phenotypic plasticity that are typical at the higher systematic level; therefore, the use of molecular data is 
preferred. In this study, the author identifies previously undescribed species using mitochondrial and nuclear 
DNA polymorphisms and establishes the most accurate and informative taxonomy and phylogeny. The results 
contribute significant knowledge about the genetic marker, morphological adaptations, adaptive population 
differentiation, and species diversification in the family level. Additionally, the study reveals conservation 
implication of gobies; the fact that despite their hardness, populations need to be safeguarded from realizing their 
genetic differences in face of challenges such as changed environment or even habitat destruction. This integrative 
approach can be used as a model to study other complex taxa, which are important for reconstructing the pattern 
of the biodiversity and evolution.