identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
4154F53A8A10FF96FF72AD05FE7B4B73.text	4154F53A8A10FF96FF72AD05FE7B4B73.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Anatirostrum profundorum (Berg 1927) SCE	<div><p>1. Anatirostrum profundorum (Berg, 1927) (Fig. 7), Duckbilled Tadpole Goby</p> <p>Benthophilus profundorum Berg, 1927: 335, figs. 5–8; type locality: South Caspian Sea at 37°58’N, 52°22’E; syntypes: ZIN 23134 (14).</p> <p>Etymology: Latin, profundus = deep, refers to its capture in deep water.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: South Caspian Sea (Fig. 8A), off the coasts of Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. Records are from 45–294 m depth (Ahnelt et al. 2000).</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S021-1, 1, off Chaboksar, Gilan Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Mamilov 2020a).</p> <p>Babka Iljin, 1927 (1 species)</p> </div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A10FF96FF72AD05FE7B4B73	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A10FF97FF72AB09FDCF4E9B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Babka gymnotrachelus (Kessler 1857) PCN	<div><p>2. Babka gymnotrachelus (Kessler, 1857), Racer Goby</p> <p>Gobius gymnotrachelus Kessler, 1857: 464; type locality: Dniester River and its tributaries, especially River Slutsch; syntypes: ZIN 2105 (1, lost).</p> <p>Etymology: Greek, gymnus = naked + Greek, trachelos = neck, refers to the limited predorsal squamation.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and Caspian Sea basins (Fig. 8A). 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. 2003e). 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. 2003e). 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 &amp; Stepien (2007) using mtDNA cytochrome b sequences, which can provide a valuable comparison for the Caspian Sea population group.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Freyhof &amp; Kottelat 2008a).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A10FF97FF72AB09FDCF4E9B	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A11FF97FF72AF50FC564F37.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophiloides Beling & Iljin 1927	<div><p>Benthophiloides Beling &amp; Iljin, 1927 (2 species)</p> <p>Etymology: Greek, benthos = depth of the sea + Greek, phyle, that loves.</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A11FF97FF72AF50FC564F37	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A11FF97FF72AFC4FDC5498F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophiloides brauneri Beling & Iljin 1927	<div><p>3. Benthophiloides brauneri Beling &amp; Iljin, 1927, Brauner’s Tadpole Goby</p> <p>Benthophibides brauneri Beling &amp; Iljin, 1927: 309, 319, figs. l, 2, 5–8; type locality: lower Dnieper River between Cherson (= Kherson) and Kakhovka and the southern Bug River between Novaya Odessa and Nikolaev (= Mikolev), Ukraine; types: Beling &amp; Iljin (1927) described it from a total of 37 syntypes (ZISP 21989). ZISP 15134, from the Apsheron Peninsula, Caspian Sea, was noted by these authors but not included in the type material.</p> <p>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 &amp; Iljin 1927).</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Black and Caspian seas. Originally reported from the lower Dnieper and Bug rivers, and the Black Sea basin (Beling &amp; Iljin 1927). Absent from the Sea of Azov. Beling &amp; Iljin (1927) identified as B. brauneri a specimen in the ZISP from the Apsheron Peninsula, near Baku (Azerbaijan) in the Caspian Sea (Fig. 8A). 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 &amp; Miller 2004b).</p> <p>IUCN: DD (Freyhof &amp; Kottelat 2008b).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A11FF97FF72AFC4FDC5498F	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A11FF97FF72AA5CFE754B27.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophiloides turcomanus (Iljin 1941) SCE	<div><p>4. Benthophiloides turcomanus (Iljin, 1941), Turkmen Goby</p> <p>Asra turcomanus Iljin, 1941: 384, 388, figs. 1–4: type locality: South Caspian Sea, off Chikishlar [Chikishlyar], 37°45.5’ N 53°47’ E. 9.3 m; southwest of Ulsky Bank, 38°05’ N 52°34’ E, depth 26.5 m, Turkmenistan; types: a holotype was not designated, and both syntypes (1 juvenile, 1 male) appear to have been lost.</p> <p>Etymology: The species name turcomanus refers to its capture off the coast of Turkmenistan.</p> <p>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. 8A) (Iljin 1941). We discerned no additional records of this species.</p> <p>IUCN: DD (Mamilov 2020b).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A11FF97FF72AA5CFE754B27	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A11FF97FF72AB34FBD64BD3.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophilus Eichwald 1831	<div><p>Benthophilus Eichwald, 1831 (16 species)</p> <p>Etymology: Greek, benthos = depth of the sea + Greek, phyle, meaning “that loves”.</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A11FF97FF72AB34FBD64BD3	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A12FF94FF72ACD9FD9D4D9F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophilus baeri Kessler 1877	<div><p>5. Benthophilus baeri Kessler, 1877 (Fig. 9), Baer’s Tadpole Goby</p> <p>Benthophilus baeri Kessler, 1877: 53, fig. 10; type locality: Caspian Sea: near Mangyshlak, Kazakhstan; lectotype: ZISP 2239, paralectotypes: (11) BMNH 1897.7.5.16 [ex St. Petersberg Univ.] (1), SPU 395 [463/410] (1), ZIN 53665 [ex 2239] (4).</p> <p>Etymology: Named for K.E. von Baer, the Baltic German scientist and explorer.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Coastal waters of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 8B). Eurybathic, in warm seasons at depths 0.5–30 m, migrates to deeper waters, down to 100 m depth, in winter (Boldyrev &amp; Bogutskaya 2007).</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S002, 33, off Anzali &amp; ZM-CBSU S054, 11, off the coast of Gilan Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020a).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A12FF94FF72ACD9FD9D4D9F	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A12FF94FF72A885FD9C4A43.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophilus casachicus Ragimov 1978	<div><p>6. Benthophilus casachicus Ragimov, 1978, Kazakhstan Tadpole Goby</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Etymology: The species name casachicus is derived from the country name of Kazakhstan off whose coast the species was first discovered.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Mostly along the eastern Caspian Sea coast from Cape Peschany (Kazakhstan) to Ogurchinskiy Island (Turkmenistan) (Fig. 8C), in brackish waters at 15–75 m depth and 13 ‰ salinity, also known from the Volga River delta (Boldyrev &amp; Bogutskaya 2007). No records for Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020b).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A12FF94FF72A885FD9C4A43	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A12FF94FF72AA1CFD9D4B92.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophilus ctenolepidus Kessler 1877	<div><p>7. Benthophilus ctenolepidus Kessler, 1877, Spiny-scaled Tadpole Goby</p> <p>Benthophilus ctenolepidus Kessler, 1877: 48, fig. 11; type locality: southern Caspian Sea, south of Baku, Azerbaijan; lectotype: ZIN 10897, paralectotypes: (4) BMNH 1897.7.5.13 [ex ZIN] (1), ZIN (lost).</p> <p>Etymology: Greek, ctenos = comb + Greek, lepis = scale, refers to the arrangement of spines edging the bony tubercles in the skin.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: South Caspian Sea (Fig. 8C): 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 &amp; Bogutskaya 2007). Abbasi (2017) listed it in the coastal waters of Gilan, and maps in Pinchuk &amp; Miller (2004c), and Boldyrev &amp; 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 &amp; Bogutskaya 2007).</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020c).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A12FF94FF72AA1CFD9D4B92	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A13FF95FF72ACD8FDCF4E73.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophilus granulosus Kessler 1877	<div><p>8. Benthophilus granulosus Kessler, 1877 (Fig. 10), Granular Tadpole Goby</p> <p>Benthophilus granulosus Kessler, 1877: 57, fig. 14; type locality: Baku Bay, Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan; lectotype: ZISP [= ZIN] 2242, syntypes: (7 + 1) BMNH 1897.7.5.14 [ex ZIN] (1), ZIN 10898 (1, damaged).</p> <p>Etymology: Latin, granulatus = covered or composed of grains, refers to the granular appearance of the skin.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Coastal waters in all three sub-basins of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 11A), 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 &amp; Bogutskaya 2007). Marked for Iran on the minimap in Pinchuk &amp; Miller (2004x), but according to Boldyrev &amp; Bogutskaya (2007) lacked Iranian records, but now has been confirmed in Iran by Abbasi (2017) and by the present study’s examined material.</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S006, 1, off Anzali &amp; ZM-CBSU S023, 2, off Chaboksar, Gilan Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Freyhof &amp; Kottelat 2008c).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A13FF95FF72ACD8FDCF4E73	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A13FF8AFF72AB39FD934D0F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophilus grimmi Kessler 1877	<div><p>9. Benthophilus grimmi Kessler, 1877, Grimm’s Tadpole Goby</p> <p>Benthophilus grimmi Kessler, 1877: 59, pl. V, fig. 13; type locality: South Caspian Sea, south of Baku, Azerbaijan; lectotype: BMNH 1897.7. 5.15, paralectotypes: (7)? NMW 76987 (1), SPU 394 [465/412] (1), ZIN 10893 (1).</p> <p>Etymology: The specific name honors O. von Grimm, the Russian ichthyologist.</p> <p>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. 11A). Eurybathic, found over a considerable depth range, from 2–227 m under pleio-mesohaline conditions. It reportedly does not enter rivers (Boldyrev &amp; Bogutskaya 2007). No confirmed records from Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: DD (Bogutskaya 2020d).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A13FF8AFF72AB39FD934D0F	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A0CFF8AFF72ADDCFD9D4EC3.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophilus kessleri Berg 1927	<div><p>10. Benthophilus kessleri Berg, 1927, Kessler’s Tadpole Goby</p> <p>Benthophilus grimmi var. kessleri Berg, 1927: 343; type locality: Caspian Sea, 41°51’N; 2°15’E of Baku, depth 75 m; lectotype: ZISP [= ZIN] 53670 [ex 24349], paralectotypes: (10) ZIN 24349 (now 6).</p> <p>Etymology: Named for K.F. Kessler, the nineteenth century investigator of Ponto-Caspian fishes.</p> <p>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. 11B). Reported from 25–74 m depth and 11.5– 13.2 ‰ salinity (Boldyrev &amp; Bogutskaya 2007).</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020e).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A0CFF8AFF72ADDCFD9D4EC3	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A0CFF8AFF72AE98FDC14817.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophilus leobergius Berg 1949	<div><p>11. Benthophilus leobergius Berg, 1949 (Fig. 12), Caspian Stellate Tadpole Goby</p> <p>Benthophilus stellatus leobergius Berg, 1949: 1116, figs. 858–859; type locality: seemingly Astrabadskiy [Astrabad = Gorgan] Bay, Caspian Sea, Iran; lectotype: ZISP 23128, syntypes: ZISP 10891 (1).</p> <p>Etymology: Named for L. S. Berg (Leo Berg), the leading Russian ichthyologist of the 20th century.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Coastal areas of all three areas of the Caspian Sea, also enters river deltas (Fig. 11B). 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 &amp; Bogutskaya 2007).</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S007, 5, &amp; ZM-CBSU S037, 5, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S027, 1, &amp; ZM-CBSU S075, 1, Shafaroud mouth, Gilan Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Freyhof &amp; Kottelat 2008d).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A0CFF8AFF72AE98FDC14817	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A0CFF8BFF72AB53FD984D77.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophilus leptocephalus Kessler 1877	<div><p>12. Benthophilus leptocephalus Kessler, 1877, Slender-headed Tadpole Goby</p> <p>Benthophilus leptocephalus Kessler, 1877: 45; type locality: South Caspian Sea, depth 230 m; lectotype: ZIN 10894, paralectotypes: (1).</p> <p>Etymology: Greek, leptos = slender + Greek, kephale = head, means slender-headed.</p> <p>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. 8C). 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 &amp; Bogutskaya 2007).</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020f).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A0CFF8BFF72AB53FD984D77	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A0DFF8BFF72AD04FD9C4E0B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophilus leptorhynchus Kessler 1877	<div><p>13. Benthophilus leptorhynchus Kessler, 1877, Long-nosed Tadpole Goby</p> <p>Benthophilus leptorhynchus Kessler, 1877: 56, fig. 12a; type locality: Azerbaijan: off Baku, depth 149.4 m; lectotype: ZISP [= ZIN] 10895 (damaged), paralectotypes: (2) whereabouts unknown.</p> <p>Etymology: Greek, leptos = slender + Greek, rhynchos = beak, refers to the relatively long snout.</p> <p>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. 11A). Not confirmed by specimens for Iran. Deepwater, reported at depths of 40–150 m at salinity 10–13.5 ‰ (Boldyrev &amp; Bogutskaya 2007).</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020g).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A0DFF8BFF72AD04FD9C4E0B	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A0DFF8BFF72AEC0FDCF48CB.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophilus macrocephalus (Pallas 1787)	<div><p>14. Benthophilus macrocephalus (Pallas, 1787), Caspian Tadpole Goby</p> <p>Gobius macrocephalus Pallas, 1787: 352, pl. 10, figs. 4–6; type locality: Caspian Sea; types: no types known.</p> <p>Etymology: Greek, makros = long + Greek, kephale = head, refers to the relatively large head.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Coastal waters of all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 11B). 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 &amp; 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 &amp; Bogutskaya 2007).</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Freyhof &amp; Kottelat 2008e).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A0DFF8BFF72AEC0FDCF48CB	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A0DFF8BFF72A880FDCA4A1F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophilus mahmudbejovi Ragimov 1976	<div><p>15. Benthophilus mahmudbejovi Ragimov, 1976, Mahmudbejov’s Tadpole Goby</p> <p>Benthophilus mahmudbejovi Ragimov, 1976: 1196; type locality: off Cape Peschanyy, Middle Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan, depth 40 m; holotype: ZISP 53655 [ex IZAB 027], paratypes: ZISP 53656 [ex IZAB 012] (20).</p> <p>Etymology: Named for A. A. Mahmudbejov, a leading ichthyologist of Azerbaijan.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Along coasts of all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 11C): 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 &amp; Bogutskaya 2007).</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Freyhof &amp; Kottelat 2008f).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A0DFF8BFF72A880FDCA4A1F	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A0DFF88FF72AAECFE854DC7.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophilus persicus Kovacic, Esmaeili, Zarei, Abbasi & Schliewen 2021	<div><p>16. Benthophilus persicus Kovačić, Esmaeili, Zarei, Abbasi &amp; Schliewen, 2021 (Fig. 13), Persian Tadpole Goby</p> <p>Benthophilus persicus Kovačić, Esmaeili, Zarei, Abbasi &amp; Schliewen, 2021: 47, figs. 2–7; type locality: off Anzali, South Caspian Sea, Gilan Province, Iran, 37°29’N, 49°29’E; holotype: ZSM 47595, male, 55.1 mm TL, paratypes: PMR VP4679, VP4680, VP4681, VP4682, VP4683, ZM-CBSU 5003-128, 5001-1, 5003-60, 5022- 23, 5024-1, 5003-77; ZSM 47596, 47597, 47598, 47599, additional material: ZM-CBSU S003-17 (21), ZMCBSU S003-112–113 (2), ZM-CBSU S003-115 (1), ZM-CBSU S003-134 – 135 (2).</p> <p>Etymology: Named for Persia, the historic region of southwestern Asia that is associated with the area that is now Iran.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: This species is abundant on sandy bottoms in coastal areas of western South Caspian Sea (Fig. 8C). 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).</p> <p>Material examined: PMR, ZM-CBSU, and ZSM (type material), plus additional non-type material (Kovačić et al. 2021); ZM-CBSU S003, 116, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S016, 25, off Astara; ZM-CBSU S022, 30, off Chaboksar; ZM-CBSU S024, 1, &amp; ZM-CBSU S025, 81, off Chamkhaleh; ZM-CBSU S026, 4, Shafaroud mouth; ZMCBSU S029, 3, off Talesh, Gilan Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: NE.</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A0DFF88FF72AAECFE854DC7	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A0EFF88FF72AFA8FD9349BE.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophilus pinchuki Ragimov 1982	<div><p>17. Benthophilus pinchuki Ragimov, 1982 * (Fig. 14), Pinchuk’s Tadpole Goby</p> <p>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).</p> <p>Etymology: Named in honor of V. I. Pinchuk, Russian ichthyologist.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: South Caspian Sea (Fig. 8A). Although Boldyrev &amp; Bogutskaya (2007) also mapped its distribution in the North Caspian Sea, no data or explanation were provided, and according to Pinchuk &amp; Miller (2003a), 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 &amp; Bogutskaya 2007).</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S004, 1, &amp; ZM-CBSU S005, 2, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S028, 5, Shafaroud River mouth, Gilan Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: DD (Bogutskaya 2020h).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A0EFF88FF72AFA8FD9349BE	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72ACD8FE6E4D9F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophilus ragimovi Boldyrev & Bogutskaya 2004	<div><p>18. Benthophilus ragimovi Boldyrev &amp; Bogutskaya, 2004, Ragimov’s Tadpole Goby</p> <p>Benthophilus ragimovi Boldyrev &amp; 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.</p> <p>Etymology: Named after D. B. Ragimov, an authority of Caspian Sea gobiid fishes.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: West coast of the Middle and South Caspian Sea from Chechen Island (Russia) south to the Astara region (Azerbaijan) (Fig. 11C). 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 &amp; Bogutskaya 2007).</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2021).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72ACD8FE6E4D9F	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72AE6CFE664F37.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophilus spinosus Kessler 1877	<div><p>19. Benthophilus spinosus Kessler, 1877, Spiny Tadpole Goby</p> <p>Benthophilus spinosus Kessler, 1877: 50; type locality: Middle Caspian Sea region, depth 42.7 m; lectotype: ZISP 10896, syntypes: (5) BMNH 1897.7.5.17 [ex MLSU] (1), others lost.</p> <p>Etymology: Latin, spinosus = prickly or thorny, refers to the well-developed spiny tubercles.</p> <p>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. 11C). No records from Iran. Sampled at 10–25 m during the spawning season and down to 40–45 m in winter (Boldyrev &amp; Bogutskaya 2007).</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020i).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72AE6CFE664F37	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72AFC4FD9D48CB.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Benthophilus svetovidovi Pinchuk & Ragimov 1979	<div><p>20. Benthophilus svetovidovi Pinchuk &amp; Ragimov, 1979, Svetovidov’s Tadpole Goby</p> <p>Benthophilus svetovidovi Pinchuk &amp; Ragimov, 1979: 515; type locality: South Caspian Sea (?), depth 86 m; holotype: ZIN 43672, female, 39 mm TL, paratypes: ZIN 43673 (1, lost).</p> <p>Etymology: Named after A. N. Svetovidov, Russian ichthyologist.</p> <p>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. 11A). No records from Iran. Recorded from 30–200 m depths at 12–13.5 ‰ salinity (Boldyrev &amp; Bogutskaya 2007).</p> <p>IUCN: DD (Bogutskaya 2020j).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72AFC4FD9D48CB	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72AA5CFE554BB7.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Hyrcanogobius bergi Iljin, CE 1928	<div><p>21. Hyrcanogobius bergi Iljin, 1928 (Fig. 15), Berg’s Goby</p> <p>Hyrcanogobius bergi Iljin, 1928: 44, figs. 7–11; type locality: North Caspian Sea, near the mouths of the Volga, Ural, and Emba rivers, Russia and Kazakhstan; syntypes: ZIN 25417 (5), Volga.</p> <p>Etymology: Named after L. S. Berg, Russian ichthyologist.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: The coastal waters of all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 16A). Gobius longecaudatus var. “c” Kessler, 1877 described from Baku Bay (Azerbaijan) is a synonym (Miller &amp; Pinchuk 2004a). Its records are from the western coasts of the North and western Middle Caspian Sea (in Russia) and the eastern South Caspian Sea (Miller &amp; Pinchuk 2004a), also from the western South Caspian Sea (this study). Shakirova &amp; 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 &amp; Pinchuk 2004a). In Iran, this species was recorded by us in the coastal waters off Astara.</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S017-3, 34, &amp; ZM-CBSU S085, 5, off Astara, Gilan Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Freyhof 2020).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72AA5CFE554BB7	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72A880FE14498F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Hyrcanogobius Iljin 1928	<div><p>Hyrcanogobius Iljin, 1928 (1 species)</p> <p>Etymology: Greek, Hyrcania = old Persian region near of Caspian Sea + Latin, gobius = gudgeon.</p> <p>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 &amp; Miller (1990). However, as noted under Knipowitschia by Miller (2004c), 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 2004c). A detailed morphological and molecular analysis along with Knipowitschia thus is warranted.</p> </div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A0FFF89FF72A880FE14498F	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A08FF8EFF72A932FDC14B90.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Knipowitschia caucasica (Berg 1916)	<div><p>22. Knipowitschia caucasica (Berg, 1916) (Fig. 17), Caucasian Dwarf Goby</p> <p>Pomatoschistus caucasicus Berg, 1916: 409; type locality: swamp near Batum and Inkit Lake near Pitsunda, Georgia (Black Sea basin); syntypes: BMNH 1896.3.28.26-28 [ex Tiflis Mus.] (3).</p> <p>Etymology: Refers to its discovery on the Black Sea Caucasian coast of Georgia.</p> <p>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. 16B), 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).</p> <p>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).</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S010, 6, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S039, 63, Anzali Wetland; ZM-CBSU S053, 74, Bojagh National Park; ZM-CBSU S056, 7, coastal waters of Gilan Province, Iran; ZM-CBSU S079, 4, Aras River Dam, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Freyhof &amp; Kottelat 2008g).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A08FF8EFF72A932FDC14B90	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A08FF8EFF72A95EFC204924.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Knipowitschia Iljin 1927	<div><p>Knipowitschia Iljin, 1927 (3 species)</p> <p>Etymology: Named after of N. M. Knipowitsch, Russian ichthyologist.</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A08FF8EFF72A95EFC204924	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A09FF8FFF72AECEFE4B484C.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Knipowitschia iljini Berg 1931	<div><p>23. Knipowitschia iljini Berg, 1931 (Fig. 18), Iljin’s Dwarf Goby</p> <p>Knipowitschia iljini Berg, 1931: 1271, fig. 1–2, pl. I; type locality: Middle Caspian Sea; syntypes: ZIN 22052 (65), 24370 (16),?24424 (6+).</p> <p>Etymology: Named for B. S. Iljin, Russian ichthyologist.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: The coastal waters of all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 16C). 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 &amp; Pinchuk (2004b). 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 &amp; Pinchuk 2004b). Does not enter freshwaters (Miller &amp; Pinchuk 2004b).</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S104, 7, off Anzali, Gilan Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: DD (Larson 2019a).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A09FF8FFF72AECEFE4B484C	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A09FF8CFF72AA9BFDC14C93.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Knipowitschia longecaudata (Kessler 1877)	<div><p>24. Knipowitschia longecaudata (Kessler, 1877) (Fig. 19), Longtail Dwarf Goby</p> <p>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).</p> <p>Etymology: Latin, longus = long + Latin, cauda = a tail, refers to an elongate caudal region.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Western and northwestern Black Sea regions, eastern Azov Sea and Caspian Sea (Fig. 16D). No records from the South Caspian Sea according to Miller (2004b). 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 2004b).</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S011, 1, &amp; ZM-CBSU S012, 1, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S018 &amp; ZM-CBSU S019, 138, off Astara, Gilan Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Freyhof &amp; Kottelat 2008h).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A09FF8CFF72AA9BFDC14C93	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A0AFF8CFF72AFE1FCD94F87.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Mesogobius Bleeker 1874	<div><p>Mesogobius Bleeker, 1874 (1 species)</p> <p>Etymology: Greek, mesos = half + Latin, gobius = gudgeon.</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A0AFF8CFF72AFE1FCD94F87	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A0AFF8DFF72A855FE4A4D77.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Mesogobius nonultimus (Iljin 1936)	<div><p>25. Mesogobius nonultimus (Iljin, 1936) (Fig. 20), Caspian Toad Goby</p> <p>Gobius nonultimus Iljin, 1936: 337, fig. p. 325; type locality: 24 miles southwest of Ulsky Bank, Caspian Sea, depth 24 m above a bottom depth of 54 m, Turkmenistan; types: the holotype of this species, an adult female of 107.5 + 19.5 mm appears to be lost.</p> <p>Etymology: Iljin (1936) did not provide an explanation of the specific name.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Widely distributed in the open sea in all three areas of the Caspian Sea.A relatively deepwater mesohaline species (Pinchuk &amp; Miller 2004d).</p> <p>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 &amp; Miller (2004d) 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.</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S036, 1, off Anzali, Gilan Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: DD (Larson 2019b).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A0AFF8DFF72A855FE4A4D77	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A0BFF8DFF72ADF8FE66487B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Neogobius bathybius (Kessler 1877)	<div><p>26. Neogobius bathybius (Kessler, 1877) (Fig. 21), Deepwater Goby</p> <p>Gobius bathybius, Kessler, 1877: 17, pl. 1 (fig. 3); type locality: Svinoi Island, south of Baku, Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, depth 756 feet; types: type material of Gobius bathybius appears to be missing from the collection of St Petersburg State University.</p> <p>Etymology: Greek, bathus = deep, refers to capture of the holotype in deep waters.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Present in all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 22A). 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. 2004b). Does not enter rivers (Pinchuk et al. 2004b).</p> <p>Remarks: Formerly in the genus Chasar Vasil’eva, 1996. Neilson &amp; 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.</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S063, 3, off Babolsar, &amp; ZM-CBSU S064, 1, off Neka, Mazandaran Province, Iran; ZM-CBSU A256 - A297, 36, off Kiashahr, Gilan Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020l).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A0BFF8DFF72ADF8FE66487B	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A0BFF8DFF72AD04FCAB4DE3.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Neogobius Iljin 1927	<div><p>Neogobius Iljin, 1927 (4 species)</p> <p>Etymology: Greek, neos = new + Latin, gobius = gudgeon.</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A0BFF8DFF72AD04FCAB4DE3	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A04FF82FF72ACD8FD9C4D9F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Neogobius caspius (Eichwald 1831)	<div><p>27. Neogobius caspius (Eichwald, 1831) (Fig. 23), Caspian Goby</p> <p>Gobius caspius Eichwald, 1831: 76; type locality: Baku, Azerbaijan, Caspian Sea; types: no types known.</p> <p>Etymology: The species name caspius refers to its occurrence in the Caspian Sea.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Present in all three areas of the Caspian Sea (Fig. 22B). Inhabits pleio-mesohaline brackish waters, and does not enter rivers (Pinchuk &amp; Miller 2003b).</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S030, 15, off Astara; ZM-CBSU S034, 96, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S047, 16, Shalmanroud mouth; &amp; ZM-CBSU S057, 3, Sefidroud mouth, Gilan Province, Iran; ZM-CBSU S062, 1, off Babolsar; ZM-CBSU S068 &amp; ZM-CBSU S069, 9, off Neka; &amp; ZM-CBSU S070, 10, off Miankaleh, Mazandaran Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Bogutskaya 2020k).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A04FF82FF72ACD8FD9C4D9F	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A04FF83FF72A867FDC84DC7.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas 1814)	<div><p>28. Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814) (Fig. 24), Round Goby</p> <p>Gobius melanostomus Pallas, 1814: 151; type locality: Sevastopol, Balaklava, Ukraine; types: no types known.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Widely distributed in the Ponto-Caspian basin (Fig. 22C). 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. 2003d). 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.</p> <p>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).</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S031, 108, off Astara; ZM-CBSU S035, 1, Anzali Wetland; ZM-CBSU S035, 6, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S059, 42, Sefidroud mouth, Gilan Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Freyhof &amp; Kottelat 2008i).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A04FF83FF72A867FDC84DC7	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A05FF83FF72AD9AFDC84844.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Neogobius pallasi (Berg 1916)	<div><p>29. Neogobius pallasi (Berg, 1916) (Fig. 25), Caspian Sand Goby</p> <p>Gobius fluviatilis pallasi Berg, 1916: 417; type locality: Caspian Sea, mouths of Ural and Volga; syntypes: ZISP 2195, 2204, 23137, 30729, 30736, 30738, 30919, 30920, 30924-26, 33182, 34276 &amp; 34277.</p> <p>Etymology: Named after P. S. Pallas, Prussian zoologist and botanist.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Caspian Sea coastal waters and river mouths (Fig. 22D). 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. (2003c). However, distributions based on the present material extends its South Caspian Sea range to the east at Miankaleh.</p> <p>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 &amp; 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 &amp; Stepien 2011).</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S049, 10, &amp; ZM-CBSU S048, 35, Shalmanroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S032, 78, off Astara; ZM-CBSU S013, 1, &amp; S033, 215, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S058, 3, Sefidroud mouth, Gilan Province, Iran; ZM-CBSU S071, 2, off Miankaleh, Mazandaran Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Freyhof &amp; Kottelat 2008j).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A05FF83FF72AD9AFDC84844	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A05FF83FF72AA02FB254AE1.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Ponticola Iljin 1927	<div><p>Ponticola Iljin, 1927 (7 species)</p> <p>Etymology: Greek, Pontikos = pertaining to Pontos “the Black Sea and the regions around it”.</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A05FF83FF72AA02FB254AE1	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A05FF80FF72AAFCFE554CBE.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Ponticola cyrius (Kessler 1874)	<div><p>30. Ponticola cyrius (Kessler, 1874) (Fig. 26), Kura Goby</p> <p>Gobius cyrius Kessler, 1874: 273; type locality: Kura River near Borzhomi, Georgia; lectotype: ZISP 2235.</p> <p>Etymology: The species name cyrius means “relating to the River Kura” in Latin.</p> <p>Distribution: The upper and middle courses of the Kura River basin, the South Caspian Sea sub-basin drainage (Fig. 27A) (Vasil’eva &amp; Vasil’ev 2003a). No confirmed records from Iran.</p> <p>Remarks: Specimens previously identified by Ahnelt &amp; Holčik (1996) as P. cyrius and P. iljini from Iranian rivers are conspecific with P. patimari and P. gorlap, respectively (Zarei et al. 2021, 2022b). 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.</p> <p>Material examined: PMR VP1691, 3, Hanak, Kura River drainage basin, northeastern Turkey.</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Freyhof 2014).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A05FF80FF72AAFCFE554CBE	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A07FF81FF72ACD8FE724FA2.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Ponticola goebelii (Kessler 1874)	<div><p>31. Ponticola goebelii (Kessler, 1874) (Fig. 28), Caspian Ratan Goby</p> <p>Gobius goebelii Kessler, 1874: 249, fig. 3; type locality: Baku, Azerbaijan; syntypes: (3) NMW 33910 (1), ZIN 2229-30 (2).</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Coastal waters of the Middle and South Caspian Sea sub-basins (Fig. 27C). Absent from freshwaters.</p> <p>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 &amp; 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 &amp; 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.</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S014-1, 1, off Anzali, Gilan Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: DD (Mamilov 2020c).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A07FF81FF72ACD8FE724FA2	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A07FF86FF72A9BAFDC14C93.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Ponticola gorlap (Iljin 1949) CE	<div><p>32. Ponticola gorlap (Iljin, 1949) (Fig. 29), Caspian Bighead Goby</p> <p>Neogobius kessleri gorlap Iljin in Berg, 1949: 1087; type locality: Caspian Sea and tributary rivers; types: no type material exists. The original description by Berg (1949) was based on information supplied by B. S. Iljin in a 1941 manuscript which is now lost.</p> <p>Etymology: The species name gorlap likely is derived from a local term.</p> <p>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 &amp; Vasil’ev 2003b; Zarei et al. 2021) (Fig. 27B).</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S040 &amp; ZM-CBSU S076, 2, off Anzali; ZM-CBSU S042 &amp; ZM-CBSU S096, 60, Siahdarvishan River; ZM-CBSU S045, 9, Shafaroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S050, 4, Oshmakroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S060, 53, Sefidroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S060.3, 5, Sefidroud at Keysum; ZM-CBSU S077, 1, off Kiashahr; ZM-CBSU S078, 2, Anzali Wetland; ZM-CBSU S082, 1, off Astara; ZM-CBSU S093, 30, Sefidroud at Imamzadehashem; ZM-CBSU S094 &amp; ZM-CBSU S095, 150, Chalvand River; ZM-CBSU S097, Sefidroud at Koucheasfahan, Gilan Province, Iran; ZM-CBSU S041, 64, Babolroud; ZM-CBSU S065 -S067, 6, Neka; ZM-CBSU S098, 60, Neka River (Nekaroud), Mazandaran Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Freyhof &amp; Kottelat 2008k).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A07FF86FF72A9BAFDC14C93	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A00FF86FF72AF7BFE82494E.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Ponticola hircaniaensis Zarei, Esmaeili, Kovacic, Schliewen & Abbasi 2022	<div><p>33. Ponticola hircaniaensis Zarei, Esmaeili, Kovačić, Schliewen &amp; Abbasi, 2022 (Fig. 30), Hyrcanian Goby</p> <p>Ponticola hircaniaensis Zarei, Esmaeili, Kovačić, Schliewen &amp; Abbasi, 2022: 408, figs. 5–6; type locality: Kaboudval Stream, Golestan province, Iran, 36°53’11.0” N 54°53’37.8” E; holotype: ZM-CBSU S101-6, male, 98.5 mm TL, 76.9 mm SL, paratypes: ZM-CBSU S099-1 to S099-12, S100-1 to S100-4, S101-1 to S101-5 &amp; S101-7 to S101-15, additional material: ZM-CBSU S099 (29), ZM-CBSU S100 (26), ZM-CBSU S101 (9).</p> <p>Etymology: Named for Hyrcania, the Greek name for the south Caspian region where the species occurs.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Endemic to the Kaboudval Stream, a South Caspian Sea sub-basin drainage (Fig. 27A). Its small population is confined to a single area above the Zarrin Gol Dam (Zarei et al. 2022a).</p> <p>Remarks: Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses have suggested hybridization between P. hircaniaensis and P. gorlap at Kaboudval (Zarei et al. 2022a).</p> <p>Material examined: types and additional non-type material, Kaboudval Stream, Golestan Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: NE. Based on a narrow geographic range isolated above the Zarrin Gol Dam (&lt;2 km 2), extensive hybridization with P. gorlap, and other threats, P. hircaniaensis should be labelled as Critically Endangered (CR) (Zarei et al. 2022a).</p> </div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A00FF86FF72AF7BFE82494E	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A01FF87FF72ACD8FE854F53.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Ponticola iranicus Vasil'eva, Mousavi-Sabet & Vasil'ev 2015	<div><p>34. Ponticola iranicus Vasil’eva, Mousavi-Sabet &amp; Vasil’ev, 2015 (Fig. 31), Iranian Goby</p> <p>Ponticola iranicus Vasil’eva, Mousavi-Sabet &amp; 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).</p> <p>Etymology. Named for Iran.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Endemic to the upper Sefidroud drainage basin of the South Caspian Sea sub-basin drainage (Fig. 27A) (Zarei et al. 2022b).</p> <p>Remarks: Zarei et al. (2022b) 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. (2022b) 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. 27A).</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S087 &amp; ZM-CBSU S061, 33, Sefidroud at Imamzadehashem, Gilan Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: NE.</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A01FF87FF72ACD8FE854F53	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A01FF84FF72A9C5FE854D2B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Ponticola patimari Eagderi, Nikmehr & Poorbagher 2020	<div><p>35. Ponticola patimari Eagderi, Nikmehr &amp; Poorbagher, 2020 (Fig. 32), Patimar’s Goby</p> <p>Ponticola patimari Eagderi, Nikmehr &amp; Poorbagher, 2020: 25, figs. 2–4; type locality: Kheirud River at Najar-deh Village, Southern Caspian Sea basin, Mazandaran Prov., Iran, 36°36’46’’N; 51°34’03’’E; holotype: IMNRF-UT-1088, male, 79.1 mm TL, 63.5 mm SL, paratypes: IMNRF-UT-1087 (8), additional materials: IMNRF-UT-1086 (8), IMNRF-UT-1089 (11).</p> <p>Etymology: Named for Dr. R. Patimar, Iranian fishery biologist.</p> <p>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. 27A) (Zarei et al. 2022b).</p> <p>Remarks: A species with three geographically constrained haplogroups, i.e., Hg1, Hg2, and Hg3, separated from one another by1.19–1.91% average Kimura two-parameter (K2P) genetic distance(Zarei et al. 2022b).Hg1 contained the specimens from eastern localities, including the type locality of P. patimari, whereas Hg2 and Hg3 appeared to be sister groups with central and western-central distributions, respectively. Hg1 and Hg2+Hg3 appeared to follow a morphological continuum, which did not allow for practical taxonomic diagnosis. Therefore, pending further investigation, Zarei et al. (2022b) 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. (2022b) with re-assessed morphological character states.</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S043, 3, Kaftarroud; ZM-CBSU S044,1 1, Karganroud; ZM-CBSU S046 &amp; ZM-CBSU S090, 70, Shafaroud; ZM-CBSU S051, 6, Oshmakroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S061, 8, Sefidroud at Keysum; ZM-CBSU S080, 90, Siahdarvishan; ZM-CBSU S088, 5, Kheiroud; ZM-CBSU S091, 60, Polroud, Gilan Province, Iran; ZM-CBSU S089, 60, Nowshahr and Chalus rivers, Mazandaran Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: NE.</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A01FF84FF72A9C5FE854D2B	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A02FF84FF72AFE9FDC84943.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Ponticola syrman (Nordmann 1840)	<div><p>36. Ponticola syrman (Nordmann, 1840) (Fig. 33), Syrman Goby</p> <p>Gobius syrman Nordmann, 1840: 419, pl. 12, fig. 1; type locality: Odessa, Dniester River estuary, Black Sea, Ukraine; types: syntypes are believed to be represented by BMNH 1872.5.30.35, MNHN A. 1126 (both from Odessa), and NMW 30099.</p> <p>Etymology: Derived from a local name, syrman, used for another Ponticola species, P. cephalargoides.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat: Coastal waters of the Black, Azov, and Caspian seas (Fig. 27D). 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. 2003b).</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S092, 6, off Anzali, Gilan Province; and ZM-CBSU S065.2-1, 1, off Neka, Mazandaran Province, Iran.</p> <p>IUCN: LC (Freyhof &amp; Kottelat 2008l).</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A02FF84FF72AFE9FDC84943	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A03FF85FF72AD4CFEA64FA2.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Proterorhinus nasalis (De Filippi 1863)	<div><p>37. Proterorhinus nasalis (De Filippi, 1863) (Fig. 34), Eastern Tubenose Goby</p> <p>Gobius nasalis Filippi, 1863: 390; type locality: Caspian Sea near Baku, Azerbaijan; syntypes: BMNH 1869.3.4.34, MSNG 12655 and 36228; MZUT 672; NMW 33894 -96; ZMB 5015.</p> <p>Etymology: Latin, nâsus = nose + Latin, - âlis = of or pertaining to.</p> <p>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. 27E) (Zarei et al. 2022c).</p> <p>Remarks: Using mitochondrial COI data, Zarei et al. (2022c) 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 &amp; Stepien (2011).</p> <p>Material examined: ZM-CBSU S038, 31, Anzali Wetland; ZM-CBSU S052, 2, Khoshkroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S072, 2, Shalmanroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S073, 1, Oshmakroud mouth; ZM-CBSU S074, 1, Boujagh National Park, Gilan Province, Iran.</p> <p>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. 2022c).</p> </div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A03FF85FF72AD4CFEA64FA2	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A03FF85FF72ACD8FCCB4CBF.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Proterorhinus Smitt 1900	<div><p>Proterorhinus Smitt, 1900 (1 species)</p> <p>Etymology: Greek, proteros = former + Greek, rhinos = nose.</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A03FF85FF72ACD8FCCB4CBF	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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.text	4154F53A8A03FF85FF72A998FCD24A7E.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Rhinogobius Gill 1859	<div><p>Rhinogobius Gill, 1859 (1 species)</p> <p>Etymology: Greek, rhinos = nose + Latin, gobius = gudgeon.</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A03FF85FF72A998FCD24A7E	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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
4154F53A8A3CFFB8FF72A8FBFA044877.text	4154F53A8A3CFFB8FF72A8FBFA044877.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Gobiidae sensu Gill & Mooi 2012	<div><p>A key to the native Gobiidae of the South Caspian Sea sub-basin</p> <p>1a. head canals absent; no real scales on the body, the body naked or covered with bony tubercles and/or granules........... 2</p> <p>1b. head canals present; body with ctenoid and/or cycloid scales.................................................. 20</p> <p>2a. first dorsal fin with usually VI rays, the sixth ray at an increased distance from the fifth; body naked or partly covered with non-overlapping ctenoid scales.......................................................................... 3</p> <p>2b. first dorsal fin with I–IV rays; body covered with bony tubercles and/or granules, naked only in sexually mature males..... 4</p> <p>3a. coloration uniformly pale, living individuals almost transparent; no bands on the body; body naked; second dorsal branched rays 14; anal fin branched rays 11–12............................................... Benthophiloides turcomanus</p> <p>3b. coloration brownish, living specimens normally pigmented; dark vertical or oblique bands on the body; immature individuals with small non-overlapping scales on the sides; second dorsal branched rays 11–13; anal fin branched rays 9–11........................................................................................... Benthophiloides brauneri</p> <p>4a. head narrow (head width less than 55% of its length), snout elongate and duck-bill shaped; eight transverse suborbital rows of neuromasts, six in front of suborbital longitudinal row b; chin barbel absent; no dermal fold behind jaws................................................................................................ Anatirostrum profundorum</p> <p>4b. head broad (head width more than 70% of its length); snout not elongate and duck-bill shaped; seven transverse suborbital rows of neuromasts, four in front of suborbital longitudinal row b; most species with chin barbel and dermal fold behind jaws... 5</p> <p>5a. no tubercles; only densely-set bony plates of different size on head and body, embedded in skin and lacking apex, not arranged in regular rows....................................................................................... 6</p> <p>5b. tubercles possessing distinct apex and not embedded in skin, arranged in 2 main and 1–2 additional longitudinal rows on each side of body........................................................................................ 10</p> <p>6a. head with medial groove on temporal and occipital regions; thorny granules on rays of first dorsal fin.................. 7</p> <p>6b. head not grooved; no thorny granules on rays of first dorsal fin................................................. 9</p> <p>7a. second blotch circular; no enlarged bony plates in front of second dorsal fin....................... Benthophilus grimmi</p> <p>7b. second blotch band-shaped, descending obliquely on flank; several enlarged flat bony plates at origin of second dorsal fin, each surrounded by smaller plates............................................................................ 8</p> <p>8a. horizontal eye diameter, 12–16 % HL, less than interorbital distance, 16–21 % HL; periorbital row of enlarged granules along upper eye margin; no granules on eye................................................... Benthophilus svetovidovi</p> <p>8b. horizontal eye diameter, 17–22 % HL, considerably larger than interorbital distance, 7–13 % HL; no periorbital row of enlarged granules; granules on eye present........................................................ Benthophilus kessleri</p> <p>9a. no bony plates on belly and flanks; no dark blotches on body.............................. Benthophilus leptorhynchus</p> <p>9b. bony plates on belly and flanks; three dark blotches on back................................ Benthophilus granulosus</p> <p>10a. no tubercles on upper head surface or upper head tubercles present only on snout and between eyes................... 11</p> <p>10b. tubercles on upper head surface present, including temporal and occipital regions................................. 15</p> <p>11a. dorsal row of tubercles incomplete, starting at first dorsal-fin’s origin........................................... 12</p> <p>11b. dorsal row of tubercles complete, starting just behind head................................................... 13</p> <p>12a. dermal fold at angle of mouth well-developed........................................... Benthophilus ctenolepidus</p> <p>12b. dermal fold at angle of mouth absent................................................. Benthophilus leptocephalus</p> <p>13a. dorsal row of tubercles 22–29.......................................................... Benthophilus persicus</p> <p>13b. dorsal row of tubercles 30–33.......................................................................... 14</p> <p>14a. medial groove on head deep and well-developed on temporal and occipital regions; granules few and scattered, absent from medial groove; anterior-most tubercles of dorsal row of similar size as others in the row; ventrolateral row absent or with only few tiny tubercles.................................................................... Benthophilus pinchuki</p> <p>14b. medial groove on head very shallow, if well-developed then only between eyes; granules densely-set on entire upper head surface including medial groove; several anterior-most tubercles of dorsal row smaller than following ones; ventrolateral row with 16–19 tiny tubercles.............................................................. Benthophilus ragimovi</p> <p>15a. no medial temporal tubercle; dorsal row tubercles 11–24; ventral-row tubercles 9–20; total vertebrae 24–27, commonly 25–26; anal-fin segmented rays 5–7, commonly 6................................................................. 16</p> <p>15b. medial temporal tubercle present; dorsal-row tubercles 23–31; ventral-row tubercles 19–26; total vertebrae 27–31; anal-fin segmented rays 6–10, commonly 7–9.................................................................... 17</p> <p>16a. first dorsal-fin spines 0–II, commonly I; dorsal-row tubercles 11–16; ventral-row tubercles 9–13........ Benthophilus baeri</p> <p>16b. first dorsal-fin spine II–IV, commonly III; dorsal-row tubercles 18–24; ventral-row tubercles 15–20... Benthophilus spinosus</p> <p>17a. dark blotches on back absent or indistinct............................................ Benthophilus macrocephalus</p> <p>17b. three distinct blotches along midline of back............................................................... 18</p> <p>18a. medial groove on head; granules on head large (some of them almost of same size as nearby tubercles); head and dorsal-row tubercles flattened, rounded; spinules small, arranged in numerous radial rows covering entire surface of tubercles......................................................................................... Benthophilus casachicus</p> <p>18b. no medial groove on head; granules on head tiny; head and dorsal-row tubercles markedly conical, polygonal; spinules small to large, arranged in one or two radial rows located only on posterior surface of tubercles........................... 19</p> <p>19a. upper jaw projecting beyond lower jaw; small granules on upper eye surface; often two tubercles between eyes; precaudal vertebrae 10–11, commonly 11........................................................ Benthophilus leobergius</p> <p>19b. upper jaw not projecting beyond lower jaw; no granules on upper eye surface; always one tubercle between eyes; precaudal vertebrae 9–10, commonly 9...................................................... Benthophilus mahmudbejovi</p> <p>20a. second dorsal fin branched rays 6–11; suborbital longitudinal row a present; anterior oculoscapular canal with paired pore λ present or absent, no pore σ;............................................................................ 21</p> <p>20b. second dorsal fin branched rays 14–20; suborbital longitudinal row a absent; anterior oculoscapular canal not shortened anteriorly: pore λ single and a paired pore σ in front of it on the snout........................................... 24</p> <p>21a. transverse postorbital row tra long, extending downwards to or near the suborbital longitudinal row b; interorbital papillae present.............................................................................. Hyrcanogobius bergi</p> <p>21b. transverse postorbital row tra short, behind pore α, ending downwards far from the suborbital longitudinal row b; interorbital papillae absent, even if anterior oculoscapular canal ends at paired pore κ (in some Knipowitschia caucasica and Knipowitschia iljini).............................................................................................. 22</p> <p>22a. anterior oculoscapular canal not uniting in posterior interorbit, pore κ double; canals anterior to pores κ typically absent; preopercular canal commonly absent....................................................... Knipowitschia iljini</p> <p>22b. anterior oculoscapular canal uniting in posterior interorbit, with one pore κ; canals anterior to pore κ present, extending anteriorly to pores λ (anterior oculoscapular canal reduced with no paired pore λ only very rarely in Knipowitschia caucasica and only from the Aegean Anatolian area of the Mediterranean Sea); preopercular canal present...................... 23</p> <p>23a. posterior oculoscapular canal present................................................... Knipowitschia caucasica</p> <p>23b. posterior oculoscapular canal absent................................................ Knipowitschia longecaudata</p> <p>24a. anterior nostril an elongate tube, extending beyond upper lip; scales of the lateral row 36–48......... Proterorhinus nasalis</p> <p>24b. anterior nostril tubular but not beyond upper lip; scales of the lateral row 49–85................................... 25</p> <p>25a. suborbital transverse rows of neuromasts 8–10, typically five rows in front of suborbital longitudinal row b and three below row b; scales small..................................................................... Mesogobius nonultimus</p> <p>25b. suborbital transverse rows of neuromasts 7 (8 rows in Neogobius bathybius); four rows (five in Neogobius bathybius) in front of suborbital longitudinal row b and two transverse rows below row b; scales large................................ 26</p> <p>26a. head anterior to level of preopercle, at least in dorsal midline and opercle not covered with scales; spots on the body form more or less regular oblique (diagonal) bands (stripes), descending forward........................... Babka gymnotrachelus</p> <p>26b. head and opercle (at least the upper part) completely covered with scales; spots on the body do not form oblique bands (stripes)............................................................................................ 27</p> <p>27a. five suborbital transverse (vertical) rows of neuromasts in front of suborbital longitudinal row b; first dorsal fin rays usually VII................................................................................. Neogobius bathybius</p> <p>27b. four suborbital transverse (vertical) rows of neuromasts in front of suborbital longitudinal row b; first dorsal fin rays usually VI................................................................................................ 28</p> <p>28a. posterior nostril markedly distant from the anterior edge of the orbit, by more than half eye diameter..... Neogobius caspius</p> <p>28b. posterior nostril near the anterior edge of the orbit, the distance less than half eye diameter.......................... 29</p> <p>29a. first dorsal fin with rear proximal dark spot.............................................. Neogobius melanostomus</p> <p>29b. first dorsal fin without rear proximal dark spot............................................................. 30</p> <p>30a. coloration pale, sandy (Fig. 25); nape and predorsal area scaled completely with ctenoid scales........... Neogobius pallasi</p> <p>30b. coloration not pale and sandy, usually densely dotted or with reticulate pattern with mid-lateral blotches and dorsal saddles (Figs. 26, 28–33); nape and predorsal area scaled completely with cycloid scales, or anteriorly with cycloid and posteriorly with ctenoid scales....................................................................................... 31</p> <p>31a. first dorsal fin without anterior oblique dark stripe and light marginal band; inshore brackish water or euryhaline........ 32</p> <p>31b. first dorsal fin with an anterior oblique dark stripe and light marginal band; freshwater............................. 34</p> <p>32a. three suborbital transverse rows below suborbital longitudinal row b................................ Ponticola syrman</p> <p>32b. two suborbital transverse rows below suborbital longitudinal row b............................................. 33</p> <p>33a. anal fin with 11–14 (usually 12) branched rays, head depth at eyes about 0.6 head width, interorbit 0.6–1.1 eye diameter, snout 1.5–2.3 eye diameter, pelvic disc 0.7–0.9 abdomen length........................................ Ponticola gorlap</p> <p>33b. anal fin with 13–15 (usually 13) branched rays, head depth at eyes slightly less to somewhat greater than width, interorbit 0.4–0.6 eye diameter, snout 0.9–1.2 eye diameter, pelvic disc 0.9 to slightly more than abdomen length.... Ponticola goebeli</p> <p>34a. second dorsal fin with 17–18 (usually 18) branched rays, predorsal scales 25–26 (usually 26), caudal fin length 21.4–23.1% SL, first dorsal fin base 11.0–11.7% SL, snout to first dorsal fin 36.4–37.7% SL, pelvic fin length 14.0–15.6% SL, eye diameter 18.0–18.4% HL, upper lip length 20.3–21.9% HL; Kura River basin (Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey)..... Ponticola cyrius</p> <p>34b. second dorsal fin with 14–17 (usually 15–16) branched rays, predorsal scales 17–25 (usually 19–22), caudal fin length 23.3– 31.4% SL, first dorsal fin base 14.1–18.5 % SL, snout to first dorsal fin 30.5–36.5% SL, pelvic fin length 19.4–26.2% SL, eye diameter 18.8–25.7% HL, upper lip length 27.1–43.4% HL; South Caspian freshwater habitats in Iran................. 35</p> <p>35a. head, lips, cheeks, predorsal and body coloration reticulate, postorbital profile oblique, cheek prominent; Kaboudval Stream (Golestan Province)................................................................. Ponticola hircaniaensis</p> <p>35b. head, lips, cheeks, predorsal and body color uniform, body coloration not reticulate, postorbital profile subhorizontal (i.e., less oblique), cheek not prominent; western freshwater habitats of the South Caspian sub-basin (Gilan and western Mazandaran Province)........................................................................................... 36</p> <p>36a. inhabiting the upper Sefidroud drainage basin................................................. Ponticola iranicus</p> <p>36b. inhabiting western freshwater habitats of the South Caspian sub-basin in Iran, from Karganroud to Kheiroud except for the upper Sefidroud drainage basin............................................................ Ponticola patimari</p></div> 	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4154F53A8A3CFFB8FF72A8FBFA044877	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Zarei, Fatah;Esmaeili, Hamid Reza;Abbasi, Keyvan;Kovačić, Marcelo;Schliewen, Ulrich K.;Stepien, Carol A.	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
