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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Influence of Bottom Substrate, Bottom Depth and Day/Night on In Situ Coloration Variability of Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas, 1770) (Actinopterygii: Oxudercidae)

by
Marcelo Kovačić
1,*,
Rudolf Svensen
2,
Vera Milosaljević
3,
Čedomir Benac
4 and
Dejan Paliska
5
1
Natural History Museum Rijeka, Lorenzov Prolaz 1, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
2
Department of Natural History, Stavanger Museum, Musegata 16, 4010 Stavanger, Norway
3
Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000 Koper, Slovenia
4
Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 3, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
5
Faculty for Tourism Studies—Turistica, University of Primorska, Obala 11a, 6320 Portorož, Slovenia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(10), 1932; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13101932
Submission received: 10 September 2025 / Revised: 29 September 2025 / Accepted: 4 October 2025 / Published: 9 October 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Marine Biology)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Individuals of sand goby, Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas, 1770), were photographed underwater in their natural habitat at Breivika, Norway, from October 2022 to January 2023. Of the 67 individuals collected, 58 were subsequently confirmed in the laboratory as P. minutus. Quantified coloration profiles were generated and statistically tested for the influence of substrate type, depth, time of day (daylight vs. night-time), and the sex and developmental stage of the individuals on the in situ coloration variability of P. minutus. Lateral body coloration showed a significant difference across bottom substrates but no significant difference for the factors of sex, developmental stage, time of day, or depth. Dorsal body coloration showed no significant difference across substrates, sex, or developmental stage; however, a significant difference was found for depth and time of day. This study provides the first detailed description of the live coloration patterns of P. minutus in its natural habitat, including a documented analysis of its qualitative variability in relation to background substrate. The found coloration plasticity highlights a sophisticated and rapid adaptation for crypsis. The ability to adjust coloration to both substrate and light conditions likely represents a significant survival strategy for this small, benthic fish against visual predators.
Keywords: Pomatoschistus minutus, sand goby, photographs, underwater live coloration, SCUBA diving, quantified color variation Pomatoschistus minutus, sand goby, photographs, underwater live coloration, SCUBA diving, quantified color variation

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MDPI and ACS Style

Kovačić, M.; Svensen, R.; Milosaljević, V.; Benac, Č.; Paliska, D. Influence of Bottom Substrate, Bottom Depth and Day/Night on In Situ Coloration Variability of Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas, 1770) (Actinopterygii: Oxudercidae). J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13, 1932. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13101932

AMA Style

Kovačić M, Svensen R, Milosaljević V, Benac Č, Paliska D. Influence of Bottom Substrate, Bottom Depth and Day/Night on In Situ Coloration Variability of Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas, 1770) (Actinopterygii: Oxudercidae). Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 2025; 13(10):1932. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13101932

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kovačić, Marcelo, Rudolf Svensen, Vera Milosaljević, Čedomir Benac, and Dejan Paliska. 2025. "Influence of Bottom Substrate, Bottom Depth and Day/Night on In Situ Coloration Variability of Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas, 1770) (Actinopterygii: Oxudercidae)" Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 13, no. 10: 1932. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13101932

APA Style

Kovačić, M., Svensen, R., Milosaljević, V., Benac, Č., & Paliska, D. (2025). Influence of Bottom Substrate, Bottom Depth and Day/Night on In Situ Coloration Variability of Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas, 1770) (Actinopterygii: Oxudercidae). Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 13(10), 1932. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13101932

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