The northernmost records of two Neoclinus blennies (Teleostei: Chaenopsidae) from the Sea of Japan

Abstract

Two chaenopsid fishes,Neoclinus chihiroeandNeoclinus lacunicola, were collected from Sadogashima Island, the Sea of Japan. The collected specimens represent the northernmost records of the two species and the first voucher specimens from the Sea of Japan. Morphological information and colour photographs, including underwater photos, of these specimens were provided. Additional photographic evidence from Tobi-shima Island, ~100 km north-north-east of Sadogashima Island, further extended the northernmost record ofNeoclinus lacunicola.

New record of Neoclinus lacunicola (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Chaenopsidae) from Ulleung Island, Korea revealed by body morphometry and mitochondrial DNA barcoding

“…There are some differences between the presently reported specimen and that described by Fukao (1980); the differences were mainly the anal origin to pelvic insertion and slightly shorter length of caudal peduncle and longest pectoral ray length. Nonetheless, it is consistent with original descriptions with the main features of no black spot between first and second dorsal spines, occipital region with a pair of cirri, and seven pairs of supraorbital cirri (Fukao 1980;Aizawa and Doiuchi 2013;Murase et al 2015). The body morphology of N. lacunicola is almost similar to Neoclinus toshimaensis Fukao, 1980, but distinctly different in the number of supraorbital cirri (6~7 in N. lacunicola vs. 9~11 in N. toshimaensis) (Fukao 1980;Aizawa 2002;Aizawa and Doiuchi 2013).…”

“…Due to this characteristic, their distribution ranges are expected to be considerably narrow (Hongjamrassilp et al 2020). However, although the mobile abilities are limited within the habitat ranges, their larvae have potential dispersal possibilities through the oceanographic processes, including currents (Murase et al 2015). According to Murase et al (2015), the distribution range of N. lacunicola has been extended northwards along with the Tsushima Current and this study confirmed such northern distribution of the species.…”

“…However, although the mobile abilities are limited within the habitat ranges, their larvae have potential dispersal possibilities through the oceanographic processes, including currents (Murase et al 2015). According to Murase et al (2015), the distribution range of N. lacunicola has been extended northwards along with the Tsushima Current and this study confirmed such northern distribution of the species. Although this species has firstly been reported to Korean waters, it is also expected that a number of individuals live in eastern Korean waters as well as Dokdo.…”

“…This morphological character i.e., the presence or absence of a black spot between first and second dorsal spines, is one of the things that distinguish between males and females of Neoclinus monogrammus Murase, Aizawa et Sunobe, 2010 (see Murase et al 2010) and it cannot be classified as Neoclinus species according to the taxonomic key suggested by Aizawa and Doiuchi (2013). For the presently reported specimen, yellow pelvic fins are key to distinguishing it as a female, despite the presence of black spots in the second and third dorsal spines membrane (Murase et al 2015). Therefore, the presence or absence of the black spot is thought to be more variable in the same species than previously considered.…”

“…Generally, small-sized, usually elongated and compressed, with a large mouth. The supraorbital and nasal cirri are present or absent (Murase et al 2015). They exhibit a hiding behavior in crevices between rocky matrices, but occasionally inhabit empty gastropod shells (empty barnacles and empty worm shells) (Stephens and Springer 1971;Fukao 1980;Fukao and Okazaki 1987).…”