Evolution of Mediterranean Freshwater Gobies

The Mediterranean region hosts many freshwater fish species found nowhere else, many of which are highly vulnerable due to increasing human and environmental pressures. The sand gobies of the genus Knipowitschia are a clear example, with all species having very limited distributions, especially in freshwater habitats. Freshwater populations likely originated recently through multiple independent colonizations from salt-tolerant ancestors, followed by rapid diversification, making them difficult to study with traditional genetic markers. Therefore, we use whole-genome data to examine relationships, connectivity, and diversity among Knipowitschia populations, providing information relevant for their conservation.