Taxonomic Reassessment of <i>Albula</i> (Albuliformes: Albulidae) from Japan and Adjacent Waters with Reliable Records of <i>Albula argentea</i>, <i>A</i>. <i>koreana</i> and <i>A</i>. <i>oligolepis</i> from Japan

A taxonomic review of Albula Scopoli, 1777 (Albuliformes: Albulidae) in Japanese and adjacent waters, based on morphology mtDNA cytochrome b sequence data, resulted the recognition four species: argentea (Forster, 1801), glossodonta (Forsskål, 1775), koreana Kwun Kim, 2011, oligolepis Hidaka, Iwatsuki, Randall, 2008. Although ichthyologists have long considered A. a second species (referred to by name “Sotoiwashi”) be distributed latter having been reported as or sp. recent literature, present study revealed that, fact, “Sotoiwashi” included three species, viz., argentea, oligolepis. Examined specimens represent first reliable records all from with comparative Vietnam Malaysia also representing distributional range extensions (formerly known only Korea Taiwan). is readily distinguished congeners striking yellow stripe cheek (just behind mouth) former, large dark blotch front nostril, oval under an arc-shaped band snout tip, greater numbers body scales vertebrae. As has previously demonstrated, are pored lateral-line scale (68–74 former vs. 61–67 latter) total vertebrae (68–75 64–70). Updated information shows Indonesia east French Polynesia, north Japan (there being no Sri Lanka, Madagascar Hawaiian Islands); waters off Korea, Japan, Taiwan, (east coast Malay Peninsula); Africa Coral Sea, Japan.