Comparative ontogeny and phylogenetic relationships of eight lizardfish species (Synodontidae) from the Northwest Pacific, with a focus on Trachinocephalus monophyly.

Lizardfish (Aulopiforms: Synodontidae), distributed broadly in temperate to tropical waters, are represented globally by 83 species across four genera, with 10 species in Korea. Despite these numbers, few studies have been conducted on the early life history of lizardfishes compared to their adult counterparts. Thus, we conducted molecular identification of 123 Synodontidae larvae collected from the Northwest Pacific (Korea Strait, Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and East Sea) between June 2017 and July 2021, using mitochondrial DNA COI and 16S rRNA sequences. Significant morphological differences were observed in the larvae and juvenile, including variation in melanophore, count, morphometric characteristics, and body shape. The morphological traits of eight species (Harpadon nehereus, Saurida macrolepis, Saurida wanieso, Saurida sp., Synodus hoshinonis, Synodus kaianus, Synodus macrops, and Trachinocephalus trachinus) served as vital data for interpreting the phylogenetic relationships within the Northwest Pacific Synodontidae. Ultimately, the identification key revealed by this study will enable accurate identification of Synodontid larvae and juveniles, and further facilitate our understanding of the phylogenetic relationships within this family.

New descriptions of four larval lanternfish species and cryptic diversity of Benthosema pterotum (Pisces: Myctophidae) from the Northwest Pacific.

Although there have been many studies on the taxonomy of lanternfishes, morphological similarities during larval and juvenile stages make it difficult to identify species and understand their early life histories. During an ichthyoplankton survey in the Northwest Pacific (East Sea, East China Sea) between 2017 and 2020, a research vessel from the National Institute of Fisheries Science collected larvae and juveniles that belonged to the family Myctophidae using a bongo net. To accurately identify species, mtDNA sequences encoding cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 16S ribosomal RNA were obtained and compared with those of adult voucher specimens. These comparisons led to the identification of four previously unknown larval lanternfish species (Diaphus chrysorhynchus, Diaphus suborbitalis, Diaphus watasei and Lampanyctus fernae), which are described here for the first time. The authors also describe the cryptic diversity of Benthosema pterotum and provide identification keys for 10 species of larval lanternfish, in accordance with their developmental stages.

Upwelling and eddies affect connectivity among local populations of the goldeye rockfish, Sebastes thompsoni (Pisces, Scorpaenoidei).

The goldeye rockfish, Sebastes thompsoni, commercial rockfish catch in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, may influence its population structure. To clarify the population genetic structure of Korean S. thompsoni and its degree of hybridization with the most close species, Sebastes joyneri, we analyzed a mitochondrial (mt) DNA control region and eleven polymorphic microsatellite (ms) loci. S. joyneri individuals were clearly distinguished from S. thompsoni by the mtDNA control region and ms loci results, with single interspecific hybridization between two species suggesting no impact on genetic structure of S. thompsoni. Analysis of mtDNA revealed no population structure within S. thompsoni, suggesting the survival of a single population in southern refugia during the glacial period. The ms loci results, in contrast, showed two genetically distinct clusters within S. thompsoni: One was predominant throughout Korean coasts (from the Yellow Sea, via the Korea Strait to the East Sea); the other was predominant at Dokdo Island in the East Sea; and both occurred in similar ratios at Wangdolcho Reef in the East Sea. A possible factor that restricts gene flow between Korean coastal and offshore populations in the East Sea may be related to the complex oceanic current patterns such as eddies and upwelling, which represent impermeable barriers to population connectivity for this species. Our findings highlight that these two populations might be representative of two separate stock within Korean waters and maintain their geographically related genetic structure.