Goby evolution in the LRT

Progress in the fish subset
of the LRT now recovers the following interrelationships among gobies and their proximal outgroup taxon, Ophiocephalus (Fig 1). These ray-fin, bony fish derived from the catfish-spiny shark-placoderm side prefer shallow bottom environs rather than open water.

Figure 1. These are the four gobies tested in the LRT, plus an outgroup taxon, Ophiocephalus.

Figure 1. These are the four gobies tested in the LRT, plus an outgroup taxon, Ophiocephalus.

According to Wikipedia,
“Goby is a common name for many species of small to medium sized ray-finned fish, normally with large heads and tapered bodies, which are found in marine, brackish and freshwater environments. Gobies are members of the Gobiidae family, which is a species defined by their spiny pelvic fins that are fused together to work as a ventral sucking disk. This trait allows gobies to adhere to terrain or objects in situations of heavy currents (sometimes even climbing up waterfalls).”

Figure 2. These are the skulls of four gobies tested in the LRT, plus an outgroup taxon, Ophiocephalus.

Figure 2. These are the skulls of four gobies tested in the LRT, plus an outgroup taxon, Ophiocephalus.

It helps to know the outgroup taxon.
This one was derived from testing, not cherry-picking.

References
wiki/Goby

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