Genetic analysis reveals the diversity of larval Gobiidae in a temperate estuary

Abstract

Using molecular tools to examine Gobiidae, the second most abundant taxon in ichthyoplankton samples in the Gulf of Riga (Baltic Sea), the sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus was the most abundant taxon (82% of all individuals analysed), the common goby Pomatoschistus microps constituted 12% and the black goby Gobius niger 6%. The spatiotemporal distribution of P. microps and G. niger indicated a preference for habitats closer to the river inlet and their abundances increased slightly towards the end of the sampling period in summer. The species composition was interpreted in the context of the prevailing habitat conditions, characterized by extremely low water transparency, low salinity, limited spread of vegetated area and dominance of sandy-muddy substrata.

Post‐glacial establishment of locally adapted fish populations over a steep salinity gradient

“…Ecologically, gobies play an important role in the marine ecosystem both in the Baltic Sea and in the Atlantic. For example, seasonally some 50% of pelagic fish larvae in the northern Baltic proper are gobies (Parmanne & Lindström, 2003) with the sand goby being the most abundant (Ojaveer, Gross, Laur, Arula, & Klais, 2017). Sand gobies are benthic and as they are prey for many pelagic fish (Salvanes & Nordeide, 1993), they form an important trophic link between the benthic ecosystem and pelagic ecosystem.…”

“…Ecologically, gobies play an important role in the marine ecosystem both in the Baltic Sea and in the Atlantic. For example, seasonally some 50% of pelagic fish larvae in the northern Baltic proper are gobies (Parmanne & Lindström, 2003) with the sand goby being the most abundant (Ojaveer, Gross, Laur, Arula, & Klais, 2017).…”