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.