Knipowitschia, Iljin, 1927

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 683-684

Knipowitschia

Dwarf gobies of the genus Knipowitschia are a widespread species in lower parts of slowly flowing rivers and lakes in the Black, Caspian, and Mediterranean basins, from Italy to the Aegean coast in Türkiye. All species are very small gobies that inhabit standing or slowly flowing waters, usually with dense submerged vegetation. They might be very abundant, especially in lakes close to the coast. All species of Knipowitschia have a lifespan of no more than two years with adults absent in late summer. Currently, seven species are known from West Asia, with one, K. iljini , being strictly marine in the Caspian Sea and included in the key only. Notably, K. iljini has not been recorded for several decades. Knipowitschia is superficially similar to sand gobies of the Pomatoschistus , only found in the sea and in brackish parts of estuaries.

Further reading. Geiger et al. 2014 (generic placements).

Key to species of Knipowitschia entering freshwaters in West Asia

1a - Otic transverse row tra of papillae on cheek extending downward from anterior oculoscapular canal almost to row b; a second transverse row of papillae on cheek extending downward through row d and almost reaching row e ( Fig. 63 ). ……………… K. bergi

1b - Otic transverse row tra of papillae on cheek not reaching to row b; no transverse row of papillae on cheek through row d. ………………2

2a - Squamation incomplete, scales present under pectoral, on caudal peduncle, and rarely in one series along midlateral line. ………………3

2b - Flank and caudal peduncle covered by scales, with more than one series along lateral midline, head, nape, breast, and back naked in front of origin of second dorsal. ………………4

3a - Head canals absent. ……………… K. ricasolii

3b - Head canals present, often reduced. ……………… K. byblisia

4a - Anterior oculoscapular canals usually separate or very closely set in midline of posterior interorbital space, with two pores λ (Fig. 64). ……………… K. mermere

4b - Anterior oculoscapular canals usually fused in posterior interorbital space, with a single pore λ (Fig. 64), rarely canals not extending to interorbital space. ………………5

5a - Caudal asymmetric. ……………… K. longecaudata

5b - Caudal symmetric. ………………6

6a - Posterior oculoscapular canal usually present (pores ρ1–ρ2; as in Fig. 64). ……………… K. caucasica

6b - Posterior oculoscapular canal always absent (Fig. 64). ……………… K. caunosi

Figures

Figure 63. Sensory papillae on side of head: a, without vertical row on cheek between rows d and e in most Knipowitschia species; b, with vertical row on cheek between rows d and e in K. bergi (from Kottelat & Freyhof 2007, a, after Ahnelt 1991,b, after Iljin 1928, and Miller 2004).