taxonID	type	description	language	source
482787B3FFF0FF9F767AF8890C88FA79.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. JAPAN: NSMT-P 102552 (formerly IORD 76 - 1074), 273.5 mm SL, Iriomote-jima Island, Ryukyu Islands, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, H. Kishimoto, gill net, 14 October 1976.	en	Matsunuma, Mizuki, Nagaya, Nene, Hidaka, Koichi, Kai, Yoshiaki (2022): Taxonomic Reassessment of Albula (Albuliformes: Albulidae) from Japan and Adjacent Waters with Reliable Records of Albula argentea, A. koreana and A. oligolepis from Japan. Species Diversity 27 (2): 259-277, DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.27.259, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.27.259
482787B3FFF0FF9F767AF8890C88FA79.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A species of Albula distinguished from Indo-Pacific congeners by having a rounded lower jaw tip.	en	Matsunuma, Mizuki, Nagaya, Nene, Hidaka, Koichi, Kai, Yoshiaki (2022): Taxonomic Reassessment of Albula (Albuliformes: Albulidae) from Japan and Adjacent Waters with Reliable Records of Albula argentea, A. koreana and A. oligolepis from Japan. Species Diversity 27 (2): 259-277, DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.27.259, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.27.259
482787B3FFF0FF9F767AF8890C88FA79.taxon	description	Description. Meristics and morphometrics taken from examined specimen are given in Table 6. Characters applicable to both A. glossodonta and A. argentea are not repeated here, except for the following significant features: anterior portion of parasphenoid tooth patch rounded without an anterior extension, its anterior tip not exceeding level of anterior tips of mesopterygoid tooth patches. Lower jaw tip relatively rounded (Fig. 4 D). Single row of 8 embedded scales along ventral edge of preopercle, just posterior to maxilla. Posterior tip of depressed pelvic fin not reaching anus. 8 horizontal scale rows between mid-dorsal-fin base and lateral line; 9 th scale row short, restricted to around dorsal fin origin. Color of fresh specimen: Cheek without a yellow stripe (Fig. 1 D). Iris reddish yellow, without a stripe crossing black pupil. Dorsal fin rays gray, blackish dorsally; membranes semitranslucent, with dense melanophores. Anal fin white, with dense melanophores. Pectoral fin outer surface whitish, inner axis coloration not apparent on specimen photograph. Pelvic fin whitish entirely (basal portion not yellowish), anterior portion with dense melanophores. Caudal fin gray with narrow black margin. Color of preserved specimen: Head, body and fins becoming entirely yellowish-brown (Fig. 3 B); black arched band on snout tip retained, no blotch under band; no dark marking around nostril; longitudinal lines on body retained as pale brown lines.	en	Matsunuma, Mizuki, Nagaya, Nene, Hidaka, Koichi, Kai, Yoshiaki (2022): Taxonomic Reassessment of Albula (Albuliformes: Albulidae) from Japan and Adjacent Waters with Reliable Records of Albula argentea, A. koreana and A. oligolepis from Japan. Species Diversity 27 (2): 259-277, DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.27.259, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.27.259
482787B3FFF0FF9F767AF8890C88FA79.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Albula glossodonta is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea (see Pickett et al. 2020). In Japan, only two examples of large adults from the southern Ryukyu Islands and Ehime Prefecture (Shikoku Island) have been recorded (Hidaka et al. 2004; Takagi et al. 2010; Fig. 7). Lee et al. (2021) reported a leptocephalus specimen of the species from southern Korea (north of Jeju Island). Leptocephalus larvae of the species may be regularly transported by the Kuroshio Current from southern regions, but the settlement of such appears to be unsuccessful, since juvenile and subadult specimens have at no time been reported from Japanese waters. The adult Japanese examples suggest occasional migration of large adults along the Kuroshio Current.	en	Matsunuma, Mizuki, Nagaya, Nene, Hidaka, Koichi, Kai, Yoshiaki (2022): Taxonomic Reassessment of Albula (Albuliformes: Albulidae) from Japan and Adjacent Waters with Reliable Records of Albula argentea, A. koreana and A. oligolepis from Japan. Species Diversity 27 (2): 259-277, DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.27.259, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.27.259
482787B3FFF0FF9F767AF8890C88FA79.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Hidaka et al. (2004) first reported the species from Japan on the basis of a single specimen (NSMTP 102552, formerly IORD 76 - 1074) from Iriomote-jima Island, southern Ryukyu Islands. That specimen was also examined here. Hidaka et al. (2004) also proposed the standard Japanese name “ Marukuchi-sotoiwashi ” for the species.	en	Matsunuma, Mizuki, Nagaya, Nene, Hidaka, Koichi, Kai, Yoshiaki (2022): Taxonomic Reassessment of Albula (Albuliformes: Albulidae) from Japan and Adjacent Waters with Reliable Records of Albula argentea, A. koreana and A. oligolepis from Japan. Species Diversity 27 (2): 259-277, DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.27.259, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.27.259
482787B3FFF2FF9B74C5FA13086EFC83.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Five specimens, 243.7 – 272.7 mm SL. JAPAN: KAUM – I. 1246, 250.1 mm SL, northeast of Matsu-shima Island, Kasasa, Minami-satsuma, Kagoshima Prefecture (31 ° 25 ′ 06 ″ N, 130 ° 12 ′ 32 ″ E), 20 m depth, M. Ito, set net, 10 November 2006. TAIWAN: KAUM – I. 125129, 246.9 mm SL, KAUM – I. 125130, 271.9 mm SL, off Ke-tzuliao, Ziguan, Kaohsiung, K. Koeda and H. Hata, 26 December 2018. VIETNAM: NSMT-P 67748, 243.7 mm SL, Cat Ba Island (obtained at fish market in Hai Phong). MALAYSIA: KAUM – I. 16854, 272.7 mm SL, off Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu (5 ° 22 ′ N, 103 ° 15 ′ E), bottom trawl.	en	Matsunuma, Mizuki, Nagaya, Nene, Hidaka, Koichi, Kai, Yoshiaki (2022): Taxonomic Reassessment of Albula (Albuliformes: Albulidae) from Japan and Adjacent Waters with Reliable Records of Albula argentea, A. koreana and A. oligolepis from Japan. Species Diversity 27 (2): 259-277, DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.27.259, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.27.259
482787B3FFF2FF9B74C5FA13086EFC83.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A species of Albula distinguished from Indo-Pacific congeners by the following combination of characters: tip of lower jaw pointed; scale rows between lateral line and mid-dorsal-fin base 9 or 10; pored lateral-line scales 75 – 77; total vertebrae 76 – 78; long, vivid yellow stripe on cheek; obvious blotch in front of nostrils, about twice nostril size; single oval blotch present under arc-shaped band on snout tip.	en	Matsunuma, Mizuki, Nagaya, Nene, Hidaka, Koichi, Kai, Yoshiaki (2022): Taxonomic Reassessment of Albula (Albuliformes: Albulidae) from Japan and Adjacent Waters with Reliable Records of Albula argentea, A. koreana and A. oligolepis from Japan. Species Diversity 27 (2): 259-277, DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.27.259, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.27.259
482787B3FFF2FF9B74C5FA13086EFC83.taxon	description	Description. Meristics and morphometrics taken from examined specimens given in Tables 2 – 4. Characters applicable to both A. koreana and A. argentea are not repeated here, except for the following significant features: Anterior portion of parasphenoid tooth patch rounded, without pointed extension, its tip not reaching level of anterior tips of mesopterygoid tooth patches. Lower jaw tip relatively pointed (Fig. 4 B). Single row of 8 – 10 embedded scales along ventral edge of preopercle, just posterior to maxilla. Posterior tip of depressed pelvic fin just reaching anus. Most specimens with 9 well-formed horizontal scale rows present between mid-dorsal-fin base and lateral line, a 10 th row short, restricted to around dorsal fin origin (Fig. 5 D, E); 1 specimen with long posteriorly extended 10 th scale row, exceeding level of mid-dorsal-fin base (Fig. 5 F). Color of fresh specimens: Cheek with single long, striking yellow stripe, its posterior end almost reaching anterior edge of preopercle (Figs 2 D – F, 8 A). Iris whitish, horizontal black band crossing black pupil, extending anteriorly onto snout as a short semitranslucent dark band in front of orbit (not reaching level of nostril; Fig. 8 A). Snout tip surrounded by large arched black band, with single oval pale black blotch under arch (Fig. 6 C, preserved condition). Relatively large black blotch in front of nostrils, size larger than nostril (Fig. 6 C). Dorsal fin rays pale yellow to brown, dorsal edge blackish, membranes semitranslucent, densely covered with minute melanophores. Anal fin whitish, densely covered with melanophores. Pectoral fin outer surface yellow, inner axis coloration not apparent. Pelvic fin whitish, basal portion yellowish. Caudal fin yellowish to brown with narrow black margin. Color of preserved specimens: Head, body and all fins creamy-yellow, body blackish dorsally; upper dark lines retained as brown or blackish lines (Fig. 3 C); 9 or 10 longitudinal dark lines on dorsum above lateral line. Yellow coloration, including cheek stripe, completely obscured; dark markings on snout retained.	en	Matsunuma, Mizuki, Nagaya, Nene, Hidaka, Koichi, Kai, Yoshiaki (2022): Taxonomic Reassessment of Albula (Albuliformes: Albulidae) from Japan and Adjacent Waters with Reliable Records of Albula argentea, A. koreana and A. oligolepis from Japan. Species Diversity 27 (2): 259-277, DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.27.259, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.27.259
482787B3FFF2FF9B74C5FA13086EFC83.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Albula koreana occurs in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, in waters off Malaysia (east coast of Malay Peninsula), Vietnam, Taiwan, southern Japan (Kagoshima Pref., Kyushu) and southern Korea (Fig. 7). The species is most likely associated with the continental coast of East Asia, being widely distributed along the coast of the Malay Peninsula and Gulf of Thailand, north to China and the Korean Peninsula. A single Japanese specimen was caught by a set net off southern Kyushu (Satsuma Peninsula), Kagoshima Pref., in 20 m depth. The Malaysian specimen was caught by bottom trawl.	en	Matsunuma, Mizuki, Nagaya, Nene, Hidaka, Koichi, Kai, Yoshiaki (2022): Taxonomic Reassessment of Albula (Albuliformes: Albulidae) from Japan and Adjacent Waters with Reliable Records of Albula argentea, A. koreana and A. oligolepis from Japan. Species Diversity 27 (2): 259-277, DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.27.259, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.27.259
482787B3FFF2FF9B74C5FA13086EFC83.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Albula koreana was originally described by Kwun and Kim (2011) on the basis of five specimens (62.8 – 350.1 mm SL) from Korea (Busan) and Taiwan (Wanli, Taipei). In addition to the numbers of pored lateral-line scales and vertebrae [as stated by Kwun and Kim (2011)], the species can be easily distinguished from Indo-Pacific congeners by coloration (see Discussion). The present specimens of A. koreana from Vietnam (NSMT-P 67748), Malaysia (KAUM – I. 16854) and Taiwan (KAUM – I. 125129 and 125130) were reported as A. argentea by Hidaka et al. (2008), Matsunuma (2011) and Koeda (2019, 2020), respectively. Hata (2022) correctly reported a Japanese specimen (KAUM – I. 1246) as A. koreana, but did not discuss the basis for its identification. A second specimen considered by Hata (2022) was identified here as A. argentea. Albula koreana reported by Murase (2021) from Miyazaki Pref. was identical to either A. argentea or A. oligolepis, due to the lack of an obvious yellow stripe on the cheek; that specimen (KPM-NI 53373) was not examined during this study. Other previous records of A. koreana from Japan included both A. argentea and A. oligolepis (see synonymies of those species). The standard Japanese name “ Kisuji-sotoiwashi ” is newly proposed for A. koreana based on KAUM – I. 1246. Albula oligolepis Hidaka, Iwatsuki, and Randall, 2008 [New standard Japanese name: Arame-sotoiwashi] (Figs 1 C, 2 G, H, 3 D, 4 C, 6 B; Tables 2 – 5)	en	Matsunuma, Mizuki, Nagaya, Nene, Hidaka, Koichi, Kai, Yoshiaki (2022): Taxonomic Reassessment of Albula (Albuliformes: Albulidae) from Japan and Adjacent Waters with Reliable Records of Albula argentea, A. koreana and A. oligolepis from Japan. Species Diversity 27 (2): 259-277, DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.27.259, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.27.259
482787B3FFF2FF9B74C5FA13086EFC83.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Five specimens, 289.0 – 373.4 mm SL. JAPAN: Oita Prefecture: KAUM – I. 140897, 333.9 mm SL, off Kamae-senzaki, Saiki (32 ° 49 ′ N, 131 ° 02 ′ E), K. Hoshino, set net, 19 September 2002. Miyazaki Pref.: KAUM – I. 144516, 289.0 mm SL, off Kushima, 30 m depth, R. Miki, set net, 17 July 2020. Kagoshima Pref.: KAUM – I. 50222, 373.4 mm SL, off Makikawa, Nakatane, Tanega-shima Island (30 ° 36 ′ 59 ″ N, 130 ° 56 ′ 56 ″ E), 20 m depth, M. Meguro et al., set net, 26 July 2012; NSMT-P 129038, 289.2 mm SL, NSMT-P 129039, 334.7 mm SL, Amami-oshima Island, Ryukyu Islands (obtained at Naze fish market), T. Maekawa, 8 December 2016.	en	Matsunuma, Mizuki, Nagaya, Nene, Hidaka, Koichi, Kai, Yoshiaki (2022): Taxonomic Reassessment of Albula (Albuliformes: Albulidae) from Japan and Adjacent Waters with Reliable Records of Albula argentea, A. koreana and A. oligolepis from Japan. Species Diversity 27 (2): 259-277, DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.27.259, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.27.259
482787B3FFF2FF9B74C5FA13086EFC83.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A species of Albula distinguished from Indo-Pacific congeners by the following combination of characters: tip of lower jaw pointed; scale rows between lateral line and mid-dorsal-fin base 8; pored lateral-line scales 61 – 67; total vertebrae 64 – 66; short indistinct yellow stripe on cheek; blotch in front of nostrils small, not larger than twice nostril size; oval blotch absent under arched band on snout tip.	en	Matsunuma, Mizuki, Nagaya, Nene, Hidaka, Koichi, Kai, Yoshiaki (2022): Taxonomic Reassessment of Albula (Albuliformes: Albulidae) from Japan and Adjacent Waters with Reliable Records of Albula argentea, A. koreana and A. oligolepis from Japan. Species Diversity 27 (2): 259-277, DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.27.259, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.27.259
482787B3FFF2FF9B74C5FA13086EFC83.taxon	description	Description. Meristics and morphometrics taken from examined specimens are given in Tables 2 – 4. Characters applicable to both A. oligolepis and A. argentea are not repeat- ed here, except for the following significant features: anterior portion of parasphenoid tooth patch, sharply elongated, its tip at level of anterior tips of mesopterygoid tooth patches; lower jaw tip relatively pointed (Fig. 4 C); single row of 7 – 9 embedded scales along ventral edge of preopercle, just posterior to maxilla; posterior tip of depressed pelvic fin almost reaching or extending beyond anus; 8 horizontal scale rows between mid-dorsal-fin base and lateral line, a 9 th row very short, restricted to around dorsal fin origin. Color of fresh specimens: Very similar to A. argentea. Cheek with short indistinct yellow stripe (Figs 1 C, 2 G, H); arched black band surrounding snout tip, with ends directed slightly sideward (Fig. 6 B, preserved specimen). Color of preserved specimens: Head, body and fins becoming creamy-yellow (Fig. 3 D); fresh yellow coloration obscured; dark markings retained; 8 or 9 brown wavy lines on dorsum between lateral line and mid-dorsal-fin base.	en	Matsunuma, Mizuki, Nagaya, Nene, Hidaka, Koichi, Kai, Yoshiaki (2022): Taxonomic Reassessment of Albula (Albuliformes: Albulidae) from Japan and Adjacent Waters with Reliable Records of Albula argentea, A. koreana and A. oligolepis from Japan. Species Diversity 27 (2): 259-277, DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.27.259, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.27.259
482787B3FFF2FF9B74C5FA13086EFC83.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Albula oligolepis is widely distributed in the Indian and West Pacific oceans, from the east coast of Africa to the Andaman Sea and Western Australia, and from eastern Australia and Papua New Guinea, north to southern Japan (Fig. 7). The species is probably more widely distributed in the Pacific Ocean than presently recorded (e. g., off Taiwan and the Philippines). Albula argentea and A. oligolepis have been reported sympatrically in Japan. A single specimen of A. oligolepis (KAUM – I. 50222) and three specimens of A. argentea (KAUM – I. 50220, 50221 and 50223) were collected together in the same set net off Tanega-shima Island (Kagoshima), suggesting that both species had been schooling together. As in A. glossodonta, the occurrence of A. oligolepis in Japanese waters most likely represents occasional migration.	en	Matsunuma, Mizuki, Nagaya, Nene, Hidaka, Koichi, Kai, Yoshiaki (2022): Taxonomic Reassessment of Albula (Albuliformes: Albulidae) from Japan and Adjacent Waters with Reliable Records of Albula argentea, A. koreana and A. oligolepis from Japan. Species Diversity 27 (2): 259-277, DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.27.259, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.27.259
482787B3FFF2FF9B74C5FA13086EFC83.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Albula oligolepis was originally described by Hidaka et al. (2008) on the basis of 36 specimens (type locality: Durban, South Africa). Since the species has previously been restricted to Papua New Guinea and eastern Australia (southern Pacific Ocean), the present Japanese specimens represent the first reliable records of A. oligolepis from the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Since the standard Japanese name “ Sotoiwashi ” has been retained here for A. argentea, the new Japanese name “ Arame-sotoiwashi ”, based on KAUM – I. 144516, is newly proposed for A. oligolepis.	en	Matsunuma, Mizuki, Nagaya, Nene, Hidaka, Koichi, Kai, Yoshiaki (2022): Taxonomic Reassessment of Albula (Albuliformes: Albulidae) from Japan and Adjacent Waters with Reliable Records of Albula argentea, A. koreana and A. oligolepis from Japan. Species Diversity 27 (2): 259-277, DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.27.259, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.27.259
