• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.147-158
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• 1996

Since the floating goby, Choenogobius onnuloris, has intricate and diverse morphological variations, allozymic analysis at 25 loci was carried out for their populations in Korea to clarify its taxonomic status. A genetic assay carried out revealed that the floating gobies were clearly divided into three genetic groups (Tvpe-A, Tvpe-B and Tvpe-C) in Korea. Alternative alleles were fated at six loci (Aco, 6pgd, Ldh-1, Got-1, Gpf, Gp3l. Some loci had considerable heterogeneitv among three types and no evidence of gene exchange in slunpatric populations was found from statistical analyses. The genetic similarity (Rogers'S) among three types was lower than 0.80 and divergent time estimate indicates that they were speciated during 1.2-1.8 million year before present (WBP). ASso, these three types of C. unnuluris were distinguished morpholosicallv from each other by several characters such as band ornamentations. In conclusion, the evidences presented here support recognition of three types of Chuenogobius annularis as typical discrete species.