Ponticola syrman (Nordmann, 1840)

Ponticola syrman View in CoL

Common name. Syrman goby.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Ponticola entering freshwater in West Asia by: ○ pelvic-disc fraenum with small, rounded lobes, whose length is less than 1 ⁄ 6 of fraenum width at base / ● three suborbital transverse rows below suborbital longitudinal row b / ○ interorbital distance equal to eye diameter) / ○ lateral part of upper lip not distinctively swollen / ○ lower jaw not or very slightly prognathous / ○ pelvic disc reaching 60–70 % of distance between its origin and anus / ○ 57–67+2–3 scales in midlateral series / ○ head depressed, wider than deep. Size up to 220 mm SL.

data place P. constructor somewhere between these two species. However, all characters used to differentiate P. constructor , P. rizensis , and P. turani largely overlap in fresh material we examined, and further studies are needed to distinguish at least the two species supported by molecular characters ( P. constructor and P. rizensis ). Ponticola rizensis and P. turani have been published in the same study. As a first reviser, we give priority to P. rizensis over P. turani . This makes P. turani a synonym of P. rizensis . Ponticola west of Aksu might belong to this species.

Further reading. KovačiĆ & Engin 2008 (description).

Distribution. Azov, northern Black Sea, and Caspian basins. In West Asia only confirmed from Caspian but not from Black Sea basin.

Habitat. Inshore habitats, estuaries, brackish and freshwater lagoons, and large rivers on muddy bottoms. Restricted to coastal areas and rarely found in freshwater.

Biology. Lives up to 4 years. First spawns at 1–2 years in March–June. Female may spawn twice in a season. Adhesive eggs laid under or between stones, shells, and aquatic vegetation. Male guard eggs until hatching. Feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates and small fish.

Conservation status. LC.

Further reading. Pinchuk et al. 2003d (biology, description).