Gobiosoma spilotum (Ginsburg, 1939)
Isthmian goby
Gobiosoma spilotum
photo by Van Tassell, J.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  2.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Western Central Atlantic: Panama.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: body scaled from the caudal peduncle to the base of pectoral fin, scales in a wedge shape to under anterior of second dorsal-fin base, then continuing anteriorly in a row of 4-5 scales, row slightly tapering anteriorly; a naked area extends from the upper pectoral-fin base to 3rd of 4th ray of second dorsal fin (rarely extending further) and from the lower pectoral-fin base to 3rd or 4th anal-fin ray (rarely extending further); upper jaw 41.5% in head length (HL); lateral scales modally 26; pectoral fin 19 (18-20) (Ref. 104557).
Biology:  The species is found in brackish coastal areas with a rock and algae substrate. It was collected in large numbers, 30-80 per lot by Dawson in 1972 and 1974, from the Gatun locks of the Panama Canal and Limon Bay, the Atlantic entrance to the canal (Ref. 104557).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 24 March 2011 (B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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