Luciogobius pallidus Freshwater type (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Shimane Prefecture, Japan

Four specimens of Luciogobius pallidus Regan, 1940, collected from the Takatsu-gawa river, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, represent the first records of the species in the prefecture. The specimens are characterized by having eyes embedded under skin; 10–12 total second dorsal-fin rays; 10–12 total anal-fin rays; 12 or 13 pectoral-fin rays; 18 + 16 or 17 = 34 or 35 vertebrae. These specimens were collected from the lower reach of the river where it is not influenced by tidal effects. Partial mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences of these specimens were similar to those of L. pallidus Freshwater type sensu Okumura et al. (2021) collected from Tokushima Prefecture. Morphological, genetic, and habitat characteristics found in the specimens collected from the Takatsu-gawa river were consistent with those of L. pallidus Freshwater type.