First Record of the Japanese Fluvial Sculpin, Cottus pollux (Scorpaeniformes: Cottidae) from Korea

Abstract

Two sculpin specimens (79.3~100.8 mm standard length) were collected from the upper reach of Deokdongcheon Stream, a tributary of the Hyeongsangang River, in Korea. They were identified as Cottus pollux by characteristics such as the absence of palatine teeth, 12~13 unbranched pectoral fin rays, pelvic fins without obvious bands or spots, and the absence of a blackish band on the head or anterior part of the body. A phylogenetic analysis based on the nuclearITS1 gene and mitochondrial cytb gene indicated that the specimens formed a clade with Japanese C. pollux, supporting the morphological species identification. We propose a new Korean name for the species: “Min-mu-nui-dug-jung-gae”