• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.21 no.sup1
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• pp.7-28
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• 2009

The family Cobitidae of Korea was reviewed as 16 species in 5 genera with the key to species for the identification by the external features. The three genera of Iksookimia, Koreocobitis, and Kichulchoia erected from the genus Cobitis were reclassified based on the presence or absence of Gambetta’s zones on the body sides, their body pigmentation, the shape of lamina circularis in males, the number of unbranched anal fin rays, and some molecular phylogenetic data. By the results of these reexamination, the generic names of the three species were changed as Cobitis choii, Iksookimia pacifica, and Kichulchoia mutifasciata. It was remarked biogeographically that most species of genera Cobitis, Iksookimia, Koreocobitis, and Kichulchoia show the disjunct distributions with bottom-dwelling preferences as endemic to Korean peninsular. Three species of Cobitis choii, Kichulchoia brevifasciata, and Koreocobitis naktongensis are considered to be critically endangered according to the severe habitat destruction and the alteration of river topography.