Distribution, morphological variation, and systematic relationship of Pholis laeta and P. ornata (Pisces: Pholididae) with a description of the related form P. nea n. sp.
Although Pholis laeta and P. ornata are generally recorded in the literature as being distributed between California and Asiatic waters, we could not find verifiable specimens or records of P. ornata from Alaskan or western Pacific waters. A population in northern Japan is distinguishable and described here as the new species Pholis nea. Differences between P. laeta and P. ornata are too small for recognition of separate genera. Pholis laeta, which ranges from California to at least the Commander Islands, U.S.S.R.; exhibits clinal pigmentary differences between British Columbia and southern Oregon. Morphologically, P. ornata is relatively uniform between populations except for the north–south cline of median counts (= dorsal and anal rays plus vertebrae) typical of many North Pacific fishes.