Journal Article
Does living in burrows shape the sagittal otolith of gobiid fishes (Teleostei, Gobiidae)? A comparison of species facultatively or permanently inhabiting burrows of shrimps
Ahnelt, H., Metscher, B. and Schwarzhans, W.
Record Number:
7109
Year:
2026
Journal:
Journal of Vertebrate Biology
Pages:
22 pages
Volume:
75(25114)
Abstract:
Abstract. The inner ear of teleost fishes is crucial for hearing and balance. It contains three pairs of otoliths thatstimulate the innervating nerve as they move, with the saccular otolith (sagitta) being the largest in most taxa. Shape and size influence the motion of the sagitta and hence sound detection and balance, and are influenced by the ecological niche occupied by the fishes. We were interested in whether the otoliths differ along a spatial
gradient in sympatric gobiids. We investigated free-living gobies (Istigobius Whitley, 1932), free-living but temporary burrowing gobies (Amblygobius Bleeker, 1874, Valenciennea Bleeker, 1856) and gobies living in shrimp burrows (Cryptocentrus Valenciennes, 1837, Austrolethops Whitley, 1935). The free-living species had thin sagittae, whereas the gobies inhabiting shrimp burrows had thick sagittae. The thickest otolith was found in Austrolethops wardi Whitley, 1935, a species that permanently inhabits shrimp burrows. The morphology of the otolith of A. wardi is unique among gobiids but reflects its relationship to the Gunnelichthys-lineage. We also analysed otoliths of blind cave fishes and fishes with atrophied eyes, in comparison with those not affected by cave-life. Alterations of the otolith morphology occurred in most of the cave fishes, and the most common alteration was thickening of the otolith
Key words: cave fishes, Gobiiformes, sagitta, seagrass bed, shrimp association
Times Cited:
1
Relevent Species:
Related Records:
Whitley, G.P. (1935)
Studies in ichthyology. No. 9
Kneer, D., Asmus, H., Ahnelt, H. and Vonk, J.A. (2008)Records of Austrolethops wardi Whitley (Teleostei: Gobiidae) as an inhabitant of burrows of the thalassinid shrimp Neaxius acanthus in tropical
seagrass beds of the Spermonde Archipelago,
Sulawesi, Indonesia
Liu, H.T.H., Kneer, D., Asmus, H. and Ahnelt, H. (2008)The feeding habits of Austrolethops wardi, a gobiid fish inhabiting burrows of the thalassinidean shrimp Neaxius acanthus
Liu, H.T.H. (2008)Biodiversity of shrimp associated gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) in a seagrass bed at Barrang Lompo Island, Archipelago, Indonesia, with special remarks on Austrolethops wardi
Karplus, I. (2014)Symbiosis in fishes: The biology of interspecific partnerships
Esmaeili, H.R., Echreshavi, S., Teimori, A. and Ahnelt, H. (2025)Comparative ultra-microscopy unraveling the regressive evolutionary signals: Insights from adaptations to extreme environment
Ahnelt, H., Metscher, B. and Schwarzhans, W. (2026)Does living in burrows shape the sagittal otolith of gobiid fishes (Teleostei, Gobiidae)? A comparison of species facultatively or permanently inhabiting burrows of shrimps