Microgobius brevispinis — Details

Balboa Goby learn more about names for this taxon

Overview

Comprehensive Description

Description

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Common names: goby (English), gobio (Espanol)
 
Microgobius brevispinis Ginsburg, 1939


Balboa goby,  Short-spine goby


Head and body compressed; fleshy crest on nape in one sexes; 2-3 pores on preopercle; mouth large, nearly vertical;  6-7 pairs of large canines on lower jaws; tip of tongue divided; dorsal fin VII (spines relatively short) + I, 16-19 rays; anal I, 16-19 rays; pectoral fin relatively short (22% of SL), 19-22 rays; tail fin long, oval or pointed (in males); pelvics fused to form disc; all scales smooth, from below 3rd  dorsal spine rearwards on body, in 63-81 lateral rows.


Both sexes:  grey brown, base of tail (behind anus) paler than body; three oblique blue bars separated by orange on operculum; two blue spots separated by orange on pectoral base; pelvics blackish, with white margin. Male:  a dark blotch with a blue bar behind it under anterior dorsal spines; back behind anus with a blue stripe above, and (sometimes) 2 orange spots below; first dorsal with a black spot on first spine, red outer margin; second dorsal dusky, with red spots at lower rear and a yellow oblique central stripe; tail fin with red spots above, a red central stripe and yellow below; anal fin dusky. Female:  intense orange bar bounded in front by blue bar and two orange spots on body under the first dorsal fin; a short blue bar on midside just behind anus.


Size: 8.2 cm.

Habitat: beaches and tide pools with muddy shell bottoms in estuaries.

Depth: 0-6 m.

Southern Baja and the eastern Gulf of California to Panama.

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Distribution

Range Description

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This species is endemic to the Eastern Pacific, and is found from southern Baja California and the eastern Gulf of California to Panama (Birdsong 1981).
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Depth

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Depth Range (m): 0 (S) - 6 (S)
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Zoogeography

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See Map (including site records) of Distribution in the Tropical Eastern Pacific


 
Global Endemism: All species, East Pacific endemic, Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) endemic

Regional Endemism: All species, TEP endemic, Continental TEP endemic, 3 provinces (Cortez + Mexican + Panamic) endemic, Continent, Continent only

Residency: Resident

Climate Zone: North Temperate (Californian Province &/or Northern Gulf of California), Northern Subtropical (Cortez Province + Sinaloan Gap), Northern Tropical (Mexican Province to Nicaragua + Revillagigedos), Equatorial (Costa Rica to Ecuador + Galapagos, Clipperton, Cocos, Malpelo)

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Eastern Central Pacific: Gulf of California to Panama.
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Physical Description

Morphology

Size

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Length max (cm): 8.2 (S)
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Type Information

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Holotype for Microgobius brevispinis
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes
Collector(s): S. Meek & S. Hildebrand
Year Collected: 1912
Locality: Tide Pools, Balboa, Canal Zone, Panama, Pacific
  • Holotype:
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Paratype for Microgobius brevispinis
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes
Collector(s): S. Meek & S. Hildebrand
Year Collected: 1912
Locality: Tidepools, Panama, Panama, Pacific
  • Paratype:
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Paratype for Microgobius brevispinis
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes
Collector(s): S. Meek & S. Hildebrand
Year Collected: 1912
Locality: Tidepools, Panama, Panama, Pacific
  • Paratype:
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Ecology

Habitat

Habitat and Ecology

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Habitat and Ecology
This demersal species inhabits muddy shell substrates and tide pools, estuaries and mangrove streams (Birdsong 1981).

Systems
  • Freshwater
  • Marine
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Depth range based on 16 specimens in 1 taxon.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 0.21 - 2

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 0.21 - 2
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
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Habitat

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Salinity: Brackish, Non Marine

Inshore/Offshore: Inshore, Inshore Only

Water Column Position: Bottom, Bottom only

Habitat: Soft bottom (mud, sand,gravel, beach, estuary & mangrove), Soft bottom only, Mud

FishBase Habitat: Demersal
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Environment

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demersal; marine
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Trophic Strategy

Feeding

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Feeding Group: Carnivore, Planktivore

Diet: zooplankton, pelagic fish larvae
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Life History and Behavior

Reproduction

Reproduction

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Egg Type: Benthic, Pelagic larva
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Conservation

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List Assessment

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Red List Category
LC
Least Concern

Red List Criteria

Version
3.1

Year Assessed
2010

Assessor/s
Van Tassell, J.

Reviewer/s
Carpenter, K., Polidoro, B., Livingstone, S. (Global Marine Species Assessment Team)

Justification
This species is widespread in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, and is relatively common throughout its range in suitable estuarine and mangrove habitat. Although coastal development and habitat loss within this species range may be a localized threat, there is no current indication of widespread population decline. It is listed as Least Concern.
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Conservation status

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IUCN Red List: Not evaluated / Listed

CITES: Not listed
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Population

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Population
This species is moderately common within suitable habitat.

Population Trend
Unknown
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Threats

Threats

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Major Threats
There are no specific major threats known for this species. However, localized coastal development and mangrove destruction may negatively affect this species habitat.
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Least Concern (LC)
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Management

Conservation Actions

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Conservation Actions
There are no known conservation measures for this species. This species may be present in Marine Protected Areas that include estuarine and mangrove habitat within its range.
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