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The sequences spanning 307 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene were determined for 45 sepcimens of Beryx splendens and seven specimens of B. mollis collected in Japan, resulting in identification of 11 and three haplotypes in the two species, respectively. The parsimony tree was constructed from the determined sequences and those registered into the GenBank data-base as species A and W of B. splendens collected in New Caledonia, featuring with two clades. The first clade comprised species W from New Caledonia and B. mollis in the present study, whereas the second one contained species A from New Caledonia and B. splendens in the present study. These results demonstrate a large geographic distribution for both B. splendens and B. mollis. Some of the haplotypes found in Japan were identical to those of New Caledonia for both B. mollis and B. splendens, suggesting levels of gene flow at the trans-oceanic scale.

Based on specimens collected from outside of the Japanese waters by Russian research vessels, we confirmed the distribution of the baloon alfonsin, Beryx mollis Abe, from the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Result of comparison with Japanese specimens is discussed with notes on some morphological characters showing geographical variation., 本文ファイル1ページ目、73号63ページに掲載の正誤表あり, 紀要論文

Since Beryx mollis Abe, 1959 was described from Sagami Bay, Honshu Island, Japan, it has been regarded as a junior synonym of B. splendens Lowe. Comparison of specimens of Beryx from Japan revealed that B. mollis is a valid species and distinguished from B. splendens in having the following characters: fewer dorsal fin rays (12-13 vs. 13-15); fewer pyloric caeca (15-20 vs. 27-36); deeper body (39.0-43.2 vs. 33.9-41.0 as % of SL); larger eyes (13.8-15.9 vs. 10.6-14.1 as % of SL); and longer pelvic fins (24.1-33.2 vs. 19.8-27.8 as % of SL); oval-shaped posterior nostril (vs. slit-like); stronger ctenoid scales. Known distribution of B. mollis is restricted to southern Japan from Sagami Bay to the Ryukyu Islands., 紀要論文