First Records of <i>Paloa villadolidi</i> from Japan with a Redescription of <i>Odonteleotris macrodon</i> (Teleostei: Butidae)

Seven specimens of Paloa villadolidi Roxas and Ablan, 1940, were collected from Okinawa Ishigaki islands in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, their morphologies are described herein. Although this species has been considered as a synonym Odonteleotris macrodon (Bleeker, 1853) which is redescribed study, former distinguished latter by having steeper jaw (upper tip not reaching orbit vs. ending below center O. macrodon), contrasting number canine teeth on jaws (more upper-jaw canines than lower-jaw ones more canines), absence distinct fin markings (vs. many small black spots rays), no caudal-fin base with red spot), higher cephalic sensory canal pores (17 13 or 14). This study also noted unique arrangement P. villadolidi, only anterior half lower jaw, unlike four other butid genera (Incara Rao, 1971, Gill, 1863, Ophiocara Oxyeleotris Bleeker, 1874), have an inner row posterior jaw. further needed to determine taxonomic status polylepis Herre, 1927, nominal genus, present tentatively it valid based original description, deeper body villadolidi. The seven Japanese identified they slenderer bodies polylepis, represent first records species.