First record of Brachaluteres ulvarum (Tetraodontiformes: Monacanthidae) from Jeju-do Island, southern Korea

Abstract

A single specimen (39.4 mm standard length) of Brachaluteres ulvarum, belonging to the family Monacanthidae has been recorded for the first time from Supseom, Jeju-do Island of southern Korea on 6 March 2021. This species was characterized by the presence of a small second dorsal spine present, the posterior end of pelvic without encasing scales, and numerous thin dark longitudinal lines on body. It was morphologically similar to the B. taylori, but distinguished by the ratio of the caudal peduncle to the head length (B. ulvarum, 2.5 to 3.7 times; B. taylori, 3.5 to 5.2 times). In addition, the former is well distinguished from the latter through mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences by genetic distances of range from 0.088 to 0.090. The new Korean name “Kko-ma-jwi-chi- sog” is proposed for the genus Brachaluteres, and “Kko-ma-jwi-chi” for the species B. ulvarum.