taxonID	type	description	language	source
4154F53A8A10FF96FF72AD05FE7B4B73.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Latin, profundus = deep, refers to its capture in deep water.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A10FF96FF72AD05FE7B4B73.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: South Caspian Sea (Fig. 8 A), off the coasts of Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. Records are from 45 – 294 m depth (Ahnelt et al. 2000).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A10FF96FF72AD05FE7B4B73.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 021 - 1, 1, off Chaboksar, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Mamilov 2020 a). Babka Iljin, 1927 (1 species)	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A10FF97FF72AB09FDCF4E9B.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Greek, gymnus = naked + Greek, trachelos = neck, refers to the limited predorsal squamation.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A10FF97FF72AB09FDCF4E9B.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and Caspian Sea basins (Fig. 8 A). The species was originally recorded from the Middle and South Caspian Sea, but in recent times has not been recorded farther south than Divichi (Azerbaijan) in the Middle Caspian Sea on the western coast and Kuuli (Turkmenistan) on the border between the Middle and South Caspian Sea on the eastern coast (Ragimov 1965, 1967; Pinchuk et al. 2003 e). Due to historical data from the South Caspian Sea, the species was included in the list. Therefore, its present presence in the South Caspian Sea and Iranian waters needs confirmation. In the Caspian Sea basin, it inhabits oligohaline waters of low salinity, sometimes also found in mesohaline environments, but reportedly does not penetrate into rivers and other freshwaters (Pinchuk et al. 2003 e). In contrast, in the Black Sea region, B. gymnotrachelus inhabits fresh waters and moderate salinity habitats, for which a molecular genetic analysis of the Black Sea populations was undertaken by Ohayen & Stepien (2007) using mtDNA cytochrome b sequences, which can provide a valuable comparison for the Caspian Sea population group.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A10FF97FF72AB09FDCF4E9B.taxon	discussion	Remarks: Berg (1949) considered the Caspian Sea population as a distinct subspecies, Neogobius gymnotrachelus macrophthalmus (Kessler, 1877), on the basis of several morphological features. Pinchuk (1977) noted additional morphological differences. Fricke et al. (2022) based on Esmaeili et al. (2010) recognized the Caspian Sea population as Babka macrophthalma (Kessler 1877), but apparently, those studies were not based on examination of specimens. Therefore, a detailed morphological and molecular analysis of individuals comparing the two basins is needed.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A10FF97FF72AB09FDCF4E9B.taxon	conservation	IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008 a).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A11FF97FF72AF50FC564F37.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Greek, benthos = depth of the sea + Greek, phyle, that loves.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A11FF97FF72AFC4FDC5498F.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named for A. Brauner, who first recorded it from the Dnieper River (Brauner 1898), but misidentified it as Gobiosoma caspium Kessler, 1877 due to their similar color patterns with dark banding (Beling & Iljin 1927).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A11FF97FF72AFC4FDC5498F.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Black and Caspian seas. Originally reported from the lower Dnieper and Bug rivers, and the Black Sea basin (Beling & Iljin 1927). Absent from the Sea of Azov. Beling & Iljin (1927) identified as B. brauneri a specimen in the ZISP from the Apsheron Peninsula, near Baku (Azerbaijan) in the Caspian Sea (Fig. 8 A). This record was accepted by Berg (1949). There seem to be no further records of this species from the Caspian Sea and its occurrence in the basin merits further investigation. There is a possibility that the locality attributed to the Apsheron specimen is erroneous. It has been recorded in fresh to slightly brackish (oligohaline) waters, typically at 5 – 15 m depth (Pinchuk & Miller 2004 b). IUCN: DD (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008 b).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A11FF97FF72AA5CFE754B27.taxon	etymology	Etymology: The species name turcomanus refers to its capture off the coast of Turkmenistan.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A11FF97FF72AA5CFE754B27.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: The two syntypes were collected in offshore waters of the South Caspian Sea in 1935, from stations 8 miles north of Chikishlyar (depth 9.3 m) and 29 miles southwest of the Ulsky bank, depth 26.5 m (Fig. 8 A) (Iljin 1941). We discerned no additional records of this species. IUCN: DD (Mamilov 2020 b).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A11FF97FF72AB34FBD64BD3.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Greek, benthos = depth of the sea + Greek, phyle, meaning “ that loves ”.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A12FF94FF72ACD9FD9D4D9F.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named for K. E. von Baer, the Baltic German scientist and explorer.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A12FF94FF72ACD9FD9D4D9F.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Coastal waters of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 8 B). Eurybathic, in warm seasons at depths 0.5 – 30 m, migrates to deeper waters, down to 100 m depth, in winter (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A12FF94FF72ACD9FD9D4D9F.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 002, 33, off Anzali & ZM-CBSU S 054, 11, off the coast of Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020 a).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A12FF94FF72A885FD9C4A43.taxon	description	Benthophilus stellatus casachicus Ragimov, 1978: 795; type locality: south of Kenderlinskaya Spit, eastern shore of the Middle Caspian Sea, depth 36 m; holotype: ZISP 53661, female, 62 mm TL, paratypes: IZA 204 (2), whereabouts unknown.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A12FF94FF72A885FD9C4A43.taxon	etymology	Etymology: The species name casachicus is derived from the country name of Kazakhstan off whose coast the species was first discovered.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A12FF94FF72A885FD9C4A43.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Mostly along the eastern Caspian Sea coast from Cape Peschany (Kazakhstan) to Ogurchinskiy Island (Turkmenistan) (Fig. 8 C), in brackish waters at 15 – 75 m depth and 13 ‰ salinity, also known from the Volga River delta (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). No records for Iran. IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020 b).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A12FF94FF72AA1CFD9D4B92.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Greek, ctenos = comb + Greek, lepis = scale, refers to the arrangement of spines edging the bony tubercles in the skin.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A12FF94FF72AA1CFD9D4B92.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: South Caspian Sea (Fig. 8 C): southeastern part, Gorgan Bay and off Zelenyy Bugor and Belyy Bugor (Turkmenistan), and along the western coast from the Apsheron Peninsula south to the Astara region of Azerbaijan (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). Abbasi (2017) listed it in the coastal waters of Gilan, and maps in Pinchuk & Miller (2004 c), and Boldyrev & Bogutskaya (2007) show it along the Iranian coast. Occurring in salinities up to 12.4 – 13.0 ‰. Eurybathic, spawns and forages in warm seasons at depths from 0.5 – 10 m, migrating in winter to depths of 20 – 60 m (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020 c).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A13FF95FF72ACD8FDCF4E73.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Latin, granulatus = covered or composed of grains, refers to the granular appearance of the skin.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A13FF95FF72ACD8FDCF4E73.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Coastal waters in all three sub-basins of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 11 A), also enters river deltas. Eurybathic, during the warm season, it inhabits shallow coastal waters (0.5 – 20 m), then migrates to deeper places (down to 60 – 70 m) in the winter (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). Marked for Iran on the minimap in Pinchuk & Miller (2004 x), but according to Boldyrev & Bogutskaya (2007) lacked Iranian records, but now has been confirmed in Iran by Abbasi (2017) and by the present study’s examined material.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A13FF95FF72ACD8FDCF4E73.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 006, 1, off Anzali & ZM-CBSU S 023, 2, off Chaboksar, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008 c).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A13FF8AFF72AB39FD934D0F.taxon	etymology	Etymology: The specific name honors O. von Grimm, the Russian ichthyologist.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A13FF8AFF72AB39FD934D0F.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Western part of the Middle Caspian Sea and the northwest South Caspian Sea from Chechen Island (Russia) to south of Apsheron Peninsula, Azerbaijan (Fig. 11 A). Eurybathic, found over a considerable depth range, from 2 – 227 m under pleio-mesohaline conditions. It reportedly does not enter rivers (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). No confirmed records from Iran. IUCN: DD (Bogutskaya 2020 d).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0CFF8AFF72ADDCFD9D4EC3.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named for K. F. Kessler, the nineteenth century investigator of Ponto-Caspian fishes.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0CFF8AFF72ADDCFD9D4EC3.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Coastal waters of the eastern Middle Caspian Sea from Urdyuk Cape south to Kuuli Cape and Krasnovodsk, northeastern South Caspian Sea (Fig. 11 B). Reported from 25 – 74 m depth and 11.5 – 13.2 ‰ salinity (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020 e).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0CFF8AFF72AE98FDC14817.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named for L. S. Berg (Leo Berg), the leading Russian ichthyologist of the 20 th century.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0CFF8AFF72AE98FDC14817.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Coastal areas of all three areas of the Caspian Sea, also enters river deltas (Fig. 11 B). Not reported from the eastern Middle Caspian Sea, but recorded form the Ogurchinskiy Island, Turkmenistan. Spawns and feeds at depths 0.5 – 10 m, migrating to deeper waters in the winter. Common at depths to 20 – 25 m (Ragimov 1965), rarely to 64 m. Prefers slightly brackish waters, up to 13 ‰, and also occurring in freshwaters of the Volga River Delta (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0CFF8AFF72AE98FDC14817.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 007, 5, & ZM-CBSU S 037, 5, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S 027, 1, & ZM-CBSU S 075, 1, Shafaroud mouth, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008 d).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0CFF8BFF72AB53FD984D77.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Greek, leptos = slender + Greek, kephale = head, means slender-headed.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0CFF8BFF72AB53FD984D77.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Recorded in the western Middle Caspian Sea from the Samur River mouth south to 39 ° 41 ’ N and the eastern South Caspian Sea between Türkmenbaşy (= Krasnovodsk) and Gasankuli (= GasanKuli), Turkmenistan (Fig. 8 C). Not yet confirmed with specimens from Iran. Deepwater species, spawns at 30 – 80 m but commonly occurs in depths of 50 – 100 m, down to 300 m. Salinity usually 12 – 13 ‰ (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020 f).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0DFF8BFF72AD04FD9C4E0B.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Greek, leptos = slender + Greek, rhynchos = beak, refers to the relatively long snout.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0DFF8BFF72AD04FD9C4E0B.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Known only from the western coast of the Middle Caspian Sea and the very north of the South Caspian Sea, from off Sulak River mouth south to Baku (Fig. 11 A). Not confirmed by specimens for Iran. Deepwater, reported at depths of 40 – 150 m at salinity 10 – 13.5 ‰ (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020 g).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0DFF8BFF72AEC0FDCF48CB.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Greek, makros = long + Greek, kephale = head, refers to the relatively large head.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0DFF8BFF72AEC0FDCF48CB.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Coastal waters of all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 11 B). One of the most abundant species in the North Caspian Sea. In the Middle Caspian Sea, it has been recorded along the western coast, and in the South Caspian Sea eastward to Gorgan Bay, Iran (Ragimov 1965; Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). In the South Caspian Sea sub-basin, this species has been reported from the Anzali Wetland and Gorgan Bay in Iran and between Kultuk and Astara in Azerbaijan (Ragimov 1965). De Filippi (1865) reported this species in freshwaters of the Anzali Wetlands. The species has not been found along the eastern coast of the Middle Caspian Sea. The range is rather similar to that of B. leobergius (but the latter also has been collected at Ogurchinskiy Island). Occurs in coastal waters and estuaries usually at depths from 0.5 – 10 m, over muddy bottoms, and in the lower reaches of rivers. Widely distributed, but more abundant in areas having salinities less than 7 – 8 ‰. During warm seasons, it prefers coastal waters down to 10 m deep. In the North Caspian Sea region, it migrates to deeper areas (20 – 25 m) in the winter (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008 e).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0DFF8BFF72A880FDCA4A1F.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named for A. A. Mahmudbejov, a leading ichthyologist of Azerbaijan.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0DFF8BFF72A880FDCA4A1F.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Along coasts of all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 11 C): Volga River region of the North Caspian Sea; eastern coast of the Middle and South Caspian Sea from Peschanyy Cape south to Cheleken Peninsula and Ogurchinskiy Island, Turkmenistan. The report on its distribution in the coastal waters of Gilan (Iran) by Abbasi (2017) refers to the recently described B. persicus. No records from Iran. At depths 3 – 15 m in the North Caspian Sea, and down to 50 m in the Middle and South Caspian Sea regions, abundant in the Volga River delta. Both fresh and brackish waters, up to 13 ‰. Prefers shallow waters, spawns in waters 1 – 11 m deep (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008 f).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0DFF88FF72AAECFE854DC7.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named for Persia, the historic region of southwestern Asia that is associated with the area that is now Iran.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0DFF88FF72AAECFE854DC7.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: This species is abundant on sandy bottoms in coastal areas of western South Caspian Sea (Fig. 8 C). Eurybathic, depth ranges usually from 6 – 70 m. However, no specimens have yet been collected in the eastern part of the South Caspian Sea (Kovačić et al. 2021).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0DFF88FF72AAECFE854DC7.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: PMR, ZM-CBSU, and ZSM (type material), plus additional non-type material (Kovačić et al. 2021); ZM-CBSU S 003, 116, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S 016, 25, off Astara; ZM-CBSU S 022, 30, off Chaboksar; ZM-CBSU S 024, 1, & ZM-CBSU S 025, 81, off Chamkhaleh; ZM-CBSU S 026, 4, Shafaroud mouth; ZMCBSU S 029, 3, off Talesh, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: NE.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0EFF88FF72AFA8FD9349BE.taxon	description	Benthophilus ctenolepidus pinchuki Ragimov, 1982: 49; type locality: off Bely Bugor, 37 ° 4 ’ N, southeastern Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan, depth 30 m; holotype: ZISP 53569 [ex IZA], paratypes: IZA 304 (8), ZISP 53660 [ex IZA 304] (6), additional material: ZIN 33143 (6), 44346 (1).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0EFF88FF72AFA8FD9349BE.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named in honor of V. I. Pinchuk, Russian ichthyologist.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0EFF88FF72AFA8FD9349BE.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: South Caspian Sea (Fig. 8 A). Although Boldyrev & Bogutskaya (2007) also mapped its distribution in the North Caspian Sea, no data or explanation were provided, and according to Pinchuk & Miller (2003 a), this species is absent from the North Caspian Sea region. Therefore, its distribution in the present checklist is depicted in the South Caspian Sea. We collected this species from the coastal waters of Anzali and from the Shafaroud River mouth, Gilan Province. A rare deep-water goby from depths down to 282 – 294 m, usually 50 – 100 m, in salinities of 12.4 – 13.2 ‰ (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0EFF88FF72AFA8FD9349BE.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 004, 1, & ZM-CBSU S 005, 2, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S 028, 5, Shafaroud River mouth, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: DD (Bogutskaya 2020 h).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72ACD8FE6E4D9F.taxon	description	Benthophilus ragimovi Boldyrev & Bogutskaya, 2004: 132, fig. 2; type locality: between Yasma and Kilyazi, Azerbaijan, depth 50 m; holotype: ZIN 53216, male, 67.8 mm SL, paratypes: ZIAZ 93 (8). 467 (6); ZIN 23126 (3), 53217 (1), 53218 (7), 53219 (4), plus additional non-type material.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72ACD8FE6E4D9F.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named after D. B. Ragimov, an authority of Caspian Sea gobiid fishes.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72ACD8FE6E4D9F.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: West coast of the Middle and South Caspian Sea from Chechen Island (Russia) south to the Astara region (Azerbaijan) (Fig. 11 C). No records from Iran, but based on geographic proximity to its recording site in Azerbaijan (Astara), we predict its presence in the coastal waters of Gilan. Occurs at salinities 11.0 – 13.2 ‰. A deep water species (depths 30 – 200 m), spawning at 10 – 20 m (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2021).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72AE6CFE664F37.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Latin, spinosus = prickly or thorny, refers to the well-developed spiny tubercles.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72AE6CFE664F37.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Eastern and western coasts of the Middle Caspian Sea, southeastern North Caspian Sea (from Kulaly Island south to Mangyshlak Peninsula), and the northwestern and northeastern South Caspian Sea (Fig. 11 C). No records from Iran. Sampled at 10 – 25 m during the spawning season and down to 40 – 45 m in winter (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020 i).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72AFC4FD9D48CB.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named after A. N. Svetovidov, Russian ichthyologist.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72AFC4FD9D48CB.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Known from along the eastern coast of Middle Caspian Sea and from off Ogurchinskiy Island (ZISP) in the northeastern South Caspian Sea (Fig. 11 A). No records from Iran. Recorded from 30 – 200 m depths at 12 – 13.5 ‰ salinity (Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2007). IUCN: DD (Bogutskaya 2020 j).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72AA5CFE554BB7.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named after L. S. Berg, Russian ichthyologist.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72AA5CFE554BB7.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: The coastal waters of all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 16 A). Gobius longecaudatus var. “ c ” Kessler, 1877 described from Baku Bay (Azerbaijan) is a synonym (Miller & Pinchuk 2004 a). Its records are from the western coasts of the North and western Middle Caspian Sea (in Russia) and the eastern South Caspian Sea (Miller & Pinchuk 2004 a), also from the western South Caspian Sea (this study). Shakirova & Sukhanova (1994) also record this species from the Atrek lakes of Turkmenistan. Semi-pelagic and also benthic in inshore waters, inhabiting euryhaline to freshwaters (Miller & Pinchuk 2004 a). In Iran, this species was recorded by us in the coastal waters off Astara.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72AA5CFE554BB7.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 017 - 3, 34, & ZM-CBSU S 085, 5, off Astara, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Freyhof 2020).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72A880FE14498F.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Greek, Hyrcania = old Persian region near of Caspian Sea + Latin, gobius = gudgeon.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72A880FE14498F.taxon	discussion	Remarks: Originally distinguished as a separate genus due to the reduced head lateral-line canal system (Iljin 1928) but was later suggested as being congeneric with Knipowitschia by Economidis & Miller (1990). However, as noted under Knipowitschia by Miller (2004 c), its possession of transverse interorbital rows and the much greater extent of its anterior transverse row tra appear to warrant its recognition as a separate genus based on its head lateral-line system (Miller 2004 c). A detailed morphological and molecular analysis along with Knipowitschia thus is warranted.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A08FF8EFF72A932FDC14B90.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Refers to its discovery on the Black Sea Caucasian coast of Georgia.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A08FF8EFF72A932FDC14B90.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: A widespread Ponto-Caspian species, also recorded in the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Miller et al. 2004). Widespread in the Caspian Sea basin (Fig. 16 B), Sea of Azov and Black Sea basins, and also introduced in the Aral Sea, in addition it is found outside this region, in the Aegean and eastern Ionian catchments and transitional waters. Euryhaline, in fresh to markedly hypersaline waters, typically in weedy shallows or near reed beds on finer substrates (Miller et al. 2004).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A08FF8EFF72A932FDC14B90.taxon	discussion	Remarks: A preliminary phylogeographic analysis by Zarei et al. (2021) has identified four apparently allopatric lineages having low genetic exchange, including: (i) the Aegean Sea basin (Greece) lineage with little population substructure, (ii) the Axios (Greece) lineage, (iii) a lineage from Rihios and Volvi (Greece) and the Black Sea basin, and (iv) the South Caspian Sea sub-basin lineage. Average pairwise genetic distances between these lineages varied from 1.0 – 2.2 % (Zarei et al. 2021).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A08FF8EFF72A932FDC14B90.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 010, 6, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S 039, 63, Anzali Wetland; ZM-CBSU S 053, 74, Bojagh National Park; ZM-CBSU S 056, 7, coastal waters of Gilan Province, Iran; ZM-CBSU S 079, 4, Aras River Dam, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008 g).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A08FF8EFF72A95EFC204924.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named after of N. M. Knipowitsch, Russian ichthyologist.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A09FF8FFF72AECEFE4B484C.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named for B. S. Iljin, Russian ichthyologist.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A09FF8FFF72AECEFE4B484C.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: The coastal waters of all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 16 C). Ragimov (1965) reported this species from between Kultuk and Astara region of Azerbaijan and generally in the Middle and South Caspian Sea; It was mapped around the coast of the entire Caspian Sea by Miller & Pinchuk (2004 b). Listed by Abbasi (2017) in the coastal waters of Gilan Province in Iran. Benthic and also collected in the water column above the bottom. Shallower coastal areas (20 – 70 m), but also found farther offshore, from 40 – 500 m (Miller & Pinchuk 2004 b). Does not enter freshwaters (Miller & Pinchuk 2004 b).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A09FF8FFF72AECEFE4B484C.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 104, 7, off Anzali, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: DD (Larson 2019 a).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A09FF8CFF72AA9BFDC14C93.taxon	description	Gobius longecaudatus var. “ a ” et var. “ b ” Kessler, 1877: 35; type locality: South and Middle Caspian Sea; syntypes: BMNH 1897.7. 5.10 [ex ZIN, var. “ c ”] (1), ZIN (lost).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A09FF8CFF72AA9BFDC14C93.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Latin, longus = long + Latin, cauda = a tail, refers to an elongate caudal region.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A09FF8CFF72AA9BFDC14C93.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Western and northwestern Black Sea regions, eastern Azov Sea and Caspian Sea (Fig. 16 D). No records from the South Caspian Sea according to Miller (2004 b). However, for Iran, Abbasi (2017) and we in the present study collected it from coastal waters of Anzali and Astara. Sampled in freshwater to oligohaline and meio-mesohaline salinities (Miller 2004 b).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A09FF8CFF72AA9BFDC14C93.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 011, 1, & ZM-CBSU S 012, 1, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S 018 & ZM-CBSU S 019, 138, off Astara, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008 h).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0AFF8CFF72AFE1FCD94F87.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Greek, mesos = half + Latin, gobius = gudgeon.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0AFF8DFF72A855FE4A4D77.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Iljin (1936) did not provide an explanation of the specific name.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0AFF8DFF72A855FE4A4D77.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Widely distributed in the open sea in all three areas of the Caspian Sea. A relatively deepwater mesohaline species (Pinchuk & Miller 2004 d).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0AFF8DFF72A855FE4A4D77.taxon	discussion	Remarks: Kessler (1877) described Gobius nigronotatus from a single specimen, taken on the border between the North and Middle Caspian Sea areas at Fort Aleksandrovskiy, near Mangyshlak (Kazakhstan) at 43 m, and the brief definition of this species provided by Berg (1949) corresponded in a number of characters with M. nonultimus (Iljin), but differed chiefly in the alleged absence of head scales in the former and in the presence of six rather than seven first dorsal rays. However, D. B. Ragimov found just six first dorsal rays in material identified as M. nonultimus and small head scales that may be easily overlooked, as likely was the case before contemporary binocular microscopes and staining techniques. Pinchuk & Miller (2004 d) tentatively synonymized those two nominal species. However, in the case that both species truly are conspecific, then M. nigronotatus (Kessler, 1877) would become the senior synonym for the taxon. A detailed morphological and molecular analysis of samples from the three Caspian Sea areas is warranted.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0AFF8DFF72A855FE4A4D77.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 036, 1, off Anzali, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: DD (Larson 2019 b).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0BFF8DFF72ADF8FE66487B.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Greek, bathus = deep, refers to capture of the holotype in deep waters.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0BFF8DFF72ADF8FE66487B.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Present in all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 22 A). No records appear to exist from the east coast of the Middle Caspian Sea. A relatively deep water species found under pleio-mesohaline conditions and known from depths to 75 m and may occur deeper (Pinchuk et al. 2004 b). Does not enter rivers (Pinchuk et al. 2004 b).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0BFF8DFF72ADF8FE66487B.taxon	discussion	Remarks: Formerly in the genus Chasar Vasil’eva, 1996. Neilson & Stepien (2009) included Gobius bathybius in the genus Ponticola because they then lacked access to specimens of bathybius. Molecular data by Zarei et al. (2021) and by Tajbakhsh et al. (2022) have provided support for its reclassification in the genus Neogobius. DNA sequence data analysis by Tajbakhsk et al. (2022) indicated that there is a single population of N. bathybius across the Southern Caspian Sea.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0BFF8DFF72ADF8FE66487B.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 063, 3, off Babolsar, & ZM-CBSU S 064, 1, off Neka, Mazandaran Province, Iran; ZM-CBSU A 256 - A 297, 36, off Kiashahr, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020 l).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A0BFF8DFF72AD04FCAB4DE3.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Greek, neos = new + Latin, gobius = gudgeon.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A04FF82FF72ACD8FD9C4D9F.taxon	etymology	Etymology: The species name caspius refers to its occurrence in the Caspian Sea.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A04FF82FF72ACD8FD9C4D9F.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Present in all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 22 B). Inhabits pleio-mesohaline brackish waters, and does not enter rivers (Pinchuk & Miller 2003 b).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A04FF82FF72ACD8FD9C4D9F.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 030, 15, off Astara; ZM-CBSU S 034, 96, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S 047, 16, Shalmanroud mouth; & ZM-CBSU S 057, 3, Sefidroud mouth, Gilan Province, Iran; ZM-CBSU S 062, 1, off Babolsar; ZM-CBSU S 068 & ZM-CBSU S 069, 9, off Neka; & ZM-CBSU S 070, 10, off Miankaleh, Mazandaran Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020 k).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A04FF83FF72A867FDC84DC7.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Greek, melanos = black + Greek, stoma = mouth, means black-mouthed, but might be thought to refer to the conspicuous black spot typically present on the rear part of first dorsal fin.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A04FF83FF72A867FDC84DC7.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Widely distributed in the Ponto-Caspian basin (Fig. 22 C). Present in all three areas of the Caspian Sea and entering various rivers of the Caspian Sea drainage. A benthic euryhaline species, inhabiting from the entirely of freshwaters of rivers and lakes to brackish polyhaline salinities (Pinchuk et al. 2003 d). Laboratory experiments by Karsiotis et al. (2012) discerned broad salinity tolerances in the population that has established in the central Laurentian Great Lakes of North America, from 0 – 20 ppt, even without acclimation. This indicates high osmoregulatory capability.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A04FF83FF72A867FDC84DC7.taxon	discussion	Remarks: Navozov (1912) distinguished the Caspian N. melanostomus as a separate subspecies, N. m. affinis Eichwald, 1831. Molecular data by Zarei et al. (2021) suggested three allopatric lineages, with shallow genealogical separations: (i) the Caspian Sea basin lineage corresponding to N. m. affinis; (ii) a second lineage from the Black Sea basin (native range), European and North American locations (invasive samples) corresponding to the typological subspecies; and (iii) a third lineage distributed in Sinop, northern Turkey (Southern Black Sea basin).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A04FF83FF72A867FDC84DC7.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 031, 108, off Astara; ZM-CBSU S 035, 1, Anzali Wetland; ZM-CBSU S 035, 6, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S 059, 42, Sefidroud mouth, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008 i).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A05FF83FF72AD9AFDC84844.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named after P. S. Pallas, Prussian zoologist and botanist.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A05FF83FF72AD9AFDC84844.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Caspian Sea coastal waters and river mouths (Fig. 22 D). Present in all three areas of the Caspian Sea and entering various river mouths of the Caspian Sea drainage. In the South Caspian Sea present only in the northwestern part, according to Pinchuk et al. (2003 c). However, distributions based on the present material extends its South Caspian Sea range to the east at Miankaleh.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A05FF83FF72AD9AFDC84844.taxon	discussion	Remarks: Gobius fluviatilis Pallas, 1814 was originally described in part from near the mouths of rivers falling into the Black Sea and similarly the Caspian Sea. Neogobius fluviatilis pallasi (Berg, 1916) was the subspecies described in the Caspian Sea basin. Kottelat & Freyhof (2007) recognized N. pallasi as the Caspian Sea species and restricted N. fluviatilis to the Black Sea basin. This taxonomic decision was later confirmed by molecular data (Neilson & Stepien 2011).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A05FF83FF72AD9AFDC84844.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 049, 10, & ZM-CBSU S 048, 35, Shalmanroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S 032, 78, off Astara; ZM-CBSU S 013, 1, & S 033, 215, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S 058, 3, Sefidroud mouth, Gilan Province, Iran; ZM-CBSU S 071, 2, off Miankaleh, Mazandaran Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008 j).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A05FF83FF72AA02FB254AE1.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Greek, Pontikos = pertaining to Pontos “ the Black Sea and the regions around it ”.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A05FF80FF72AAFCFE554CBE.taxon	etymology	Etymology: The species name cyrius means “ relating to the River Kura ” in Latin.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A05FF80FF72AAFCFE554CBE.taxon	distribution	Distribution: The upper and middle courses of the Kura River basin, the South Caspian Sea sub-basin drainage (Fig. 27 A) (Vasil’eva & Vasil’ev 2003 a). No confirmed records from Iran.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A05FF80FF72AAFCFE554CBE.taxon	discussion	Remarks: Specimens previously identified by Ahnelt & Holčik (1996) as P. cyrius and P. iljini from Iranian rivers are conspecific with P. patimari and P. gorlap, respectively (Zarei et al. 2021, 2022 b). In Iran, it also may be present in the Aras River (= Araks River), which flows into the Kura River in Azerbaijan. Therefore, a detailed morphological and molecular analysis of Ponticola specimens from Aras should be undertaken.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A05FF80FF72AAFCFE554CBE.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: PMR VP 1691, 3, Hanak, Kura River drainage basin, northeastern Turkey. IUCN: LC (Freyhof 2014).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A07FF81FF72ACD8FE724FA2.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Kessler (1874) mentions the name “ Mr. Goebel ”, without providing his first name or any further detail, except that he was a taxidermist, who delivered the syntypes to the Russian Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg from Baku.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A07FF81FF72ACD8FE724FA2.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Coastal waters of the Middle and South Caspian Sea sub-basins (Fig. 27 C). Absent from freshwaters.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A07FF81FF72ACD8FE724FA2.taxon	discussion	Remarks: Populations from the Caspian Sea originally described by Kessler (1874) as two separate species, Gobius bogdanowi and Gobius goebelii, the latter having been subsequently regarded as a subspecies of Neogobius ratan (Nordmann, 1840). Berg (1949) distinguished N. ratan goebeli, the Caspian Sea Ratan, by its higher meristic values, wider lip and the presence of scales on the upper third of the opercle, but believed that G. bogdanowi constituted a separate species. Within the Caspian Sea, specimens from Azerbaijan and Iran, Dagestan and the Turkmenistan coasts suggest some differentiation especially in the number of scales in lateral series, yet available material at present is too limited to evaluate possible subspecific / population status of the nominal Gobius bogdanowi Kessler (the first available name) or other putative taxa at that level. Neilson & Stepien (2009) synonymized the Caspian Sea Ratan with Ponticola ratan (Nordmann, 1840), the Black Sea Ratan, whereas it was elevated to full specific status by Naseka & Bogutskaya (2009), without further justification, since they did not include Caspian specimens in their analyses nor any discussion for their taxonomic decisions. This later was adopted by other authors, e. g., Esmaeili et al. (2010). Therefore, a detailed morphological and molecular analysis of individuals from the two basins remains of interest.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A07FF81FF72ACD8FE724FA2.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 014 - 1, 1, off Anzali, Gilan Province, Iran.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A07FF81FF72ACD8FE724FA2.taxon	conservation	IUCN: DD (Mamilov 2020 c).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A07FF86FF72A9BAFDC14C93.taxon	etymology	Etymology: The species name gorlap likely is derived from a local term.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A07FF86FF72A9BAFDC14C93.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Present in all three areas of the Caspian Sea and entering various freshwaters of the Caspian drainage. A bottom-living euryhaline fish found in brackish inshore habitats (usually from 0.5 – 10 m in depth, and rarely 10 – 20 m) and a wide range of freshwater habitats in the Caspian Sea (Vasil’eva & Vasil’ev 2003 b; Zarei et al. 2021) (Fig. 27 B).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A07FF86FF72A9BAFDC14C93.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 040 & ZM-CBSU S 076, 2, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S 042 & ZM-CBSU S 096, 60, Siahdarvishan River; ZM-CBSU S 045, 9, Shafaroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S 050, 4, Oshmakroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S 060, 53, Sefidroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S 060.3, 5, Sefidroud at Keysum; ZM-CBSU S 077, 1, off Kiashahr; ZM-CBSU S 078, 2, Anzali Wetland; ZM-CBSU S 082, 1, off Astara; ZM-CBSU S 093, 30, Sefidroud at Imamzadehashem; ZM-CBSU S 094 & ZM-CBSU S 095, 150, Chalvand River; ZM-CBSU S 097, Sefidroud at Koucheasfahan, Gilan Province, Iran; ZM-CBSU S 041, 64, Babolroud; ZM-CBSU S 065 - S 067, 6, Neka; ZM-CBSU S 098, 60, Neka River (Nekaroud), Mazandaran Province, Iran. IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008 k).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A00FF86FF72AF7BFE82494E.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named for Hyrcania, the Greek name for the south Caspian region where the species occurs.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A00FF86FF72AF7BFE82494E.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Endemic to the Kaboudval Stream, a South Caspian Sea sub-basin drainage (Fig. 27 A). Its small population is confined to a single area above the Zarrin Gol Dam (Zarei et al. 2022 a).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A00FF86FF72AF7BFE82494E.taxon	discussion	Remarks: Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses have suggested hybridization between P. hircaniaensis and P. gorlap at Kaboudval (Zarei et al. 2022 a).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A00FF86FF72AF7BFE82494E.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: types and additional non-type material, Kaboudval Stream, Golestan Province, Iran. IUCN: NE. Based on a narrow geographic range isolated above the Zarrin Gol Dam (<2 km 2), extensive hybridization with P. gorlap, and other threats, P. hircaniaensis should be labelled as Critically Endangered (CR) (Zarei et al. 2022 a).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A01FF87FF72ACD8FE854F53.taxon	description	Ponticola iranicus Vasil’eva, Mousavi-Sabet & Vasil’ev, 2015: 191, figs. 2 – 4; type locality: upper Sefidroud River basin, Tutkabon Stream, 36 ° 50.756 ’ N, 49 ° 35.021 ’ E; holotype: ZMMU P- 23677, female, 81 mm TL, 68 mm SL, paratypes: ZMMU P- 23678 (9), additional material: ZMMU P- 23679 (5), ZMMU P- 23680 (10), GUIC POI-AM (7), VMFC POI-P (12).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A01FF87FF72ACD8FE854F53.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Named for Iran.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A01FF87FF72ACD8FE854F53.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Endemic to the upper Sefidroud drainage basin of the South Caspian Sea sub-basin drainage (Fig. 27 A) (Zarei et al. 2022 b).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A01FF87FF72ACD8FE854F53.taxon	discussion	Remarks: Zarei et al. (2022 b) assessed taxonomic diversity, phylogeography and evolutionary history for the south Caspian populations of Ponticola that were previously classified as P. iranicus and P. patimari, using an integrative taxonomic approach comprising entire geographic range sampling, and analyses of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes, the head lateral line system, otolith shape, and meristic and morphometric variation. They confirmed the presence of two freshwater endemic species in the P. syrman group (i. e., P. iranicus and P. patimari), and pending further investigation, hypothesized a possible third cryptic species. Zarei et al. (2022 b) revised the distributional range of P. iranicus and P. patimari, documenting a narrow distributional range and low genetic diversity of P. iranicus, in contrast to the wider distributional range and high genetic diversity of P. patimari (Fig. 27 A).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A01FF87FF72ACD8FE854F53.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 087 & ZM-CBSU S 061, 33, Sefidroud at Imamzadehashem, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: NE.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A01FF84FF72A9C5FE854D2B.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named for Dr. R. Patimar, Iranian fishery biologist.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A01FF84FF72A9C5FE854D2B.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Freshwaters in the South Caspian Sea sub-basin. Endemic to the western rivers of the South Caspian Sea sub-basin in Iran from Kheirud (Mazandaran) to Karganroud (Gilan), except for the upper Sefidroud drainage basin (Fig. 27 A) (Zarei et al. 2022 b).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A01FF84FF72A9C5FE854D2B.taxon	discussion	Remarks: A species with three geographically constrained haplogroups, i. e., Hg 1, Hg 2, and Hg 3, separated from one another by 1.19 – 1.91 % average Kimura two-parameter (K 2 P) genetic distance (Zarei et al. 2022 b). Hg 1 contained the specimens from eastern localities, including the type locality of P. patimari, whereas Hg 2 and Hg 3 appeared to be sister groups with central and western-central distributions, respectively. Hg 1 and Hg 2 + Hg 3 appeared to follow a morphological continuum, which did not allow for practical taxonomic diagnosis. Therefore, pending further investigation, Zarei et al. (2022 b) considered the latter two groups as possible allopatric populations of P. patimari. The cephalic lateral line system of P. patimari was inaccurately described by Eagderi et al. (2020), and re-described by Zarei et al. (2022 b) with re-assessed morphological character states.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A01FF84FF72A9C5FE854D2B.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 043, 3, Kaftarroud; ZM-CBSU S 044,1 1, Karganroud; ZM-CBSU S 046 & ZM-CBSU S 090, 70, Shafaroud; ZM-CBSU S 051, 6, Oshmakroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S 061, 8, Sefidroud at Keysum; ZM-CBSU S 080, 90, Siahdarvishan; ZM-CBSU S 088, 5, Kheiroud; ZM-CBSU S 091, 60, Polroud, Gilan Province, Iran; ZM-CBSU S 089, 60, Nowshahr and Chalus rivers, Mazandaran Province, Iran. IUCN: NE.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A02FF84FF72AFE9FDC84943.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Derived from a local name, syrman, used for another Ponticola species, P. cephalargoides.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A02FF84FF72AFE9FDC84943.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Coastal waters of the Black, Azov, and Caspian seas (Fig. 27 D). In the Caspian Sea basin, it is widely distributed in all three areas of the Caspian Sea, but is believed to be absent from freshwaters, except in the Emba River, Kazakhstan (Pinchuk et al. 2003 b).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A02FF84FF72AFE9FDC84943.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 092, 6, off Anzali, Gilan Province; and ZM-CBSU S 065.2 - 1, 1, off Neka, Mazandaran Province, Iran.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A02FF84FF72AFE9FDC84943.taxon	conservation	IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008 l).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A03FF85FF72AD4CFEA64FA2.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Latin, nâsus = nose + Latin, - âlis = of or pertaining to.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A03FF85FF72AD4CFEA64FA2.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat: Inshore habitats, wetlands (e. g., Anzali Wetland) and river mouths of the South Caspian Sea sub-basin from Baku, Azerbaijan south to the middle of the basin (Fig. 27 E) (Zarei et al. 2022 c).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A03FF85FF72AD4CFEA64FA2.taxon	discussion	Remarks: Using mitochondrial COI data, Zarei et al. (2022 c) employed a phylogenetic and phylogeographical framework to assess the species level status of Caucasian populations of Proterorhinus, previously classified as P. nasalis. Their results suggest that P. nasalis is a biogeographical relict, distributed in inshore habitats of the South Caspian Sea from Baku (its type locality), Azerbaijan south to the middle of the South Caspian Sea basin, whereas tubenose goby populations from the Sea of Azov, Volga River, and North and Middle Caspian Sea sub-basins, north of Baku have the mtDNA of P. semipellucidus (Kessler, 1877). The latter freshwater tubenose goby in the northern Caspian Sea Proterorhinus semipellucidus originally was identified with multiple gene nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences by Neilson & Stepien (2011).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A03FF85FF72AD4CFEA64FA2.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ZM-CBSU S 038, 31, Anzali Wetland; ZM-CBSU S 052, 2, Khoshkroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S 072, 2, Shalmanroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S 073, 1, Oshmakroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S 074, 1, Boujagh National Park, Gilan Province, Iran. IUCN: NE. Considering the species narrow geographic range, small population size, and low mtDNA variability, P. nasalis may merit re-examination for an IUCN Red List Threatened Category (i. e., VU, EN or CR) (Zarei et al. 2022 c).	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A03FF85FF72ACD8FCCB4CBF.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Greek, proteros = former + Greek, rhinos = nose.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
4154F53A8A03FF85FF72A998FCD24A7E.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Greek, rhinos = nose + Latin, gobius = gudgeon.	en	Zarei, Fatah, Esmaeili, Hamid Reza, Abbasi, Keyvan, Kovačić, Marcelo, Schliewen, Ulrich K., Stepien, Carol A. (2022): Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of the oldest and deepest Caspian Sea sub-basin: an evidence-based annotated checklist and a key for species identification. Zootaxa 5190 (2): 151-193, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.2.1
