First record of a reticulated toadfish, Arothron reticularis (Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae), in Korea

Abstract

A single specimen of Arothron reticularis (398 mm in total length), belonging to the family Tetraodontidae, was collected in the coastal waters off Hansan island using a set net in May 2019. The morphological characteristics of the specimen are as follows: large eyes and mouth, white spots on the body, and a white line surrounding the eyes in an annular shape. A result of maximum likelihood tree showed that A. reticularis is related to A. hispidus (93.6%). We proposed the Korean name “Geu-murl-mu-nui-kkeo-kkeurl-bok,” in accordance with the characteristics of the specimen.

Keywords

• tetraodontidae
• new species
• arothron
• arothron reticularis
• reticulated toadfish