Novel genetic detection with range extension of Drombus key (Smith 1947) (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) from the Western Indian Ocean to the Northern Bay of Bengal

The study confirms a significant biogeographic extension of the goby species Drombus key (Smith) in Indian waters from the Western Indian Ocean to the Northern Bay of Bengal based on nine specimens collected from the mudflat region of the Bahuda estuary, Odisha. The transitional zone of the Bahuda estuary represents an active interface between marine and freshwater systems. The transitional zone experiences extreme salinity fluxes for which some dominant ichthyofaunal assemblages occur like gobies. The species D. key has the unique character of a triangular yellow mark before a black blotch on the pectoral fin upper base. The species was earlier reported from East Africa to Seychelles and Madagascar, and the present study reported the species for the first time from the Indian coast. Additionally, the species D. key has no genetic data in prior studies and this study also adds four COI gene barcodes of the species, which will contribute towards the potential use of the barcode data library.