Bathygobius geminatus Tornabene, Baldwin & Pezold, 2010
Twin-spotted frillfin
photo by Modder, T.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  3.8 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: USA (Florida) and Puerto Rico.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: 17-18 pectoral rays; 36-38 (modally 37) lateral scale rows; upper jaw length 10.3-10.7% SL; anterior extent of predorsal squamation reaching anteriorly to vertical through posterior margin of preopercle, with a few scales sometimes extending slightly beyond this point; with 2-3 dark blotches on each element of first dorsal fin giving appearance of 2-3 longitudinal stripes across fin; lower body with 2 rows of dark spots, spots in 2 rows directly above one another, beginning immediately behind pectoral fin base and terminating just anterior to dark blotch at base of caudal fin; upper and lower spots more distinctly separate from one another anteriorly, becoming closer to one another and loosely connected posteriorly; arrangement of spots appearing as 6 to 7 sets of vertically paired spots often forming '=' shaped markings along ventral portion of trunk (Ref. 85559).
Biology:  Specimens collected in Florida were along the rocky and sandy shorelines with seagrass in a sheltered bay, taken along with B. soporator. A single specimen was collected in Puerto Rico on a sheltered rock and pebble shoreline near the mouth of an irrigation canal, along with B. soporator, B. lacertus and a single specimen of B. antilliensis. GenBank accession number for Col sequence of holotype: HM748368 (Ref. 85559).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 23 March 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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