New Record of Syngnathoides biaculeatus (Bloch) (Gasterosteiformes: Syngnathidae) from Korea

Abstract

Two specimens of the syngnathid Syngnathoides biaculeatus were collected from thecoastal waters of Geoje Ialand and Tongyeong, Korea, represent first record of the species and thegenus from Korea. This species is characterized by the following combination of characters: caudalfin absent; opercle without keel; superior and inferior trunk ridges continuous with their respective tailridges; lateral trunk ridge deflected dorsal behind anal ring. Tail shorter than head and body hexagonalin its subdorsal part, posterior quadrangular, rapidly tapering, without caudal fin, prehensile. Headessentially in line with longitudinal axis of body or bent very little. New Korean names are proposed,“Jal-pi-sil-go-gi-sok” for the genus Syngnathoides, and “Jal-pi-sil-go-gi” for S. biaculeatus.