The otoliths of three mudskipper species from the Persian Gulf that are characterised by different degrees of amphibious adaptation were examined using SEM imaging and otolith morphometry. Scartelaos tenuis, which is the most aquatic of the three species, has rhomboid to rectangular otoliths that conform to the general otolith type of many marine gobiid species. The otoliths of Periophthalmus waltoni, which is one of the most amphibious mudskipper species, are pentagonal-shaped and deviate from the usual otolith type of the Gobiidae by the absence of a posterodorsal projection and deep ostial lobes. Boleophthalmus dussumieri is intermediate with respect to its amphibious adaptation between S. tenuis and P. waltoni, and the shape of its otoliths is intermediate between the otoliths of those two species. Otolith morphometry related to sulcus measurements more clearly separated P. waltoni from B. dussumieri, than S. tenuis from either P. waltoni or B. dussumieri. As P. waltoni and B. dussumieri can occur syntopically and display similar behaviours, the morphometric disparity of their sulcus proportions might be related to efficient intraspecific communication among neighbouring species.

中文翻译：

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来自波斯湾的三种弹涂鱼（Teleostei：Gobioidei）的耳石结构与两栖生活模式之间的可能联系

使用 SEM 成像和耳石形态测量法检查了来自波斯湾的三种弹涂鱼的耳石，它们具有不同程度的两栖适应性。Scartelaos tenuis 是三个物种中水生最多的，具有菱形到矩形的耳石，符合许多海洋戈壁物种的一般耳石类型。Periophthalmus waltoni 是最具两栖性的弹涂鱼物种之一，它的耳石呈五角形，与 Gobiidae 常见的耳石类型不同，因为没有后背突起和深孔裂。Boleophthalmus dussumieri 的两栖适应性介于 S. tenuis 和 P. waltoni 之间，其耳石的形状介于这两个物种的耳石之间。与 sulcus 测量相关的耳石形态计量学更清楚地将 P. waltoni 与 B. dussumieri 区分开来，而不是 S. tenuis 从 P. waltoni 或 B. dussumieri 中分离出来。由于 P. waltoni 和 B. dussumieri 可以同位发生并表现出相似的行为，因此它们的沟比例的形态测量差异可能与相邻物种之间的有效种内交流有关。