Revised diagnoses of the gudgeons Belobranchus belobranchus and B. segura (Actinopterygii, Gobiiformes, Eleotridae)

Abstract

Diagnostic characters distinguishing the gudgeons <i>Belobranchusbelobranchus</i> and <i>Belobranchussegura</i> were reassessed and found to be inconsistent, making it difficult to accurately identify them. Numerous specimens of both species were examined combining genetic (mitochondrial COI gene) and morpho-meristic analyses. Our findings demonstrate that <i>B.belobranchus</i> and <i>B.segura</i> can be reliably distinguished from each other based on revised diagnostic characters, including several morphometric features (interorbital width, jaw length, and caudal-peduncle depth) as well as distinct head, body, and fin coloration.

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