New Record of Neoclinus lacunicola (Perciformes: Chaenopsidae) from Ulleung Island, East Sea, Korea

Abstract

One specimen (38.3 mm SL) of Neoclinus lacunicola, belonging to the family Chaenopsidae was firstly recorded from Ulleung Island, East Sea, Korea on 5th January 2021. This species was characterized by paired external pores of incomplete lateral line runs from the upper margin of the opercle, 7 pairs of supraorbital cirri arranged in 2 rows, occipital region with a pair of cirri, and 13 rays of pectoral fin. This species is morphologically similar to the N. toshimaensis, but differs with the numbers of cirri on the supraorbital (6~7 in N. lacunicola versus 9~11 in N. toshimaensis). This study documents the first report of N. lacunicola in Korean waters and suggests the new Korean name of ‘eol-lug-bi-neul-be-do-la-chi’ for the species.