First Records of an Estuarine Goby Acentrogobius ocyurus (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) from Japan and the Sulu Sea in the Philippines

Researchers document the first records of the estuarine goby Acentrogobius ocyurus in Japan and the Sulu Sea, Philippines. Previously known from the South China Sea, Andaman Sea, and northern Australian waters, this species was found on muddy substrata at low-tide zones, often inhabiting burrows of mangrove pistol shrimp (Alpheus richardsoni). Morphological analysis reveals close relationships with Acentrogobius globiceps, A. kranjiensis, and an unnamed Japanese species, characterized by distinctive features such as a transverse sensory papillae pattern on the cheek, bright blue body spots, and an oblique yellow stripe on the caudal fin. The study, based on 20 specimens collected from Okinawa-jima Island (Japan) and Palawan Island (Philippines), expands the known distribution of this species and contributes to regional ichthyological knowledge.

Kunishima, T., Palla, H. P., Tachihara, K., & Maeda, K. (2022). First Records of an Estuarine Goby Acentrogobius ocyurus (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) from Japan and the Sulu Sea in the Philippines. Species Diversity, 27(1), 129–138. https://doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.27.129