Cryptocentrus steinhardti (Actinopterygii; Gobiidae): A new species of shrimp-goby, and a new invasive to the Mediterranean Sea

Menachem Goren, Nir Stern*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

A new species of shrimp-goby was collected at depths of 60–80 m off the southern Israeli Mediterranean coast. A unique ‘DNA barcoding’ signature (mtDNA COI and Cytb) revealed that it differs from any other previously bar-coded goby species clustered phylogenetically with the shrimp-gobies group, in which Cryptocentrus is the most speciose genus. A morphological study supported the assignment of the fish to Cryptocentrus and differentiated the new species from its congeners. The species is described here as Cryptocentrus steinhardti n. sp. However, the present phylogenetic analysis demonstrates a paraphyly of Cryptocentrus and emphasizes the need for revision of the genus based on integrating morphological and genetic characteristics. This finding constitutes the third record of an invasive shrimp goby in the Mediterranean Sea. An intriguing ecological issue arises regarding the possible formation of a fish-shrimp symbiosis in a newly invaded territory. Describing an alien tropical species in the Mediterranean prior to its discovery in native distribution is an unusual event, although not the first such case. Several similar examples are provided in the present article.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberee12136
JournalPeerJ
Volume9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2021

Keywords

  • Integrative taxonomy
  • Lessepsian migration,
  • Mediterranean Sea
  • New species
  • Shrimp-goby

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cryptocentrus steinhardti (Actinopterygii; Gobiidae): A new species of shrimp-goby, and a new invasive to the Mediterranean Sea'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this