Codlets (Gadiformes: Bregmacerotidae) comprises 16 species in one genus in the world, 6 species in Japan, and 3 species in Korea. They distributed in temperate to tropical oceanic waters, which inhabit up to depths of 1,000 m. Their role in marine eco...
Codlets (Gadiformes: Bregmacerotidae) comprises 16 species in one genus in the world, 6 species in Japan, and 3 species in Korea. They distributed in temperate to tropical oceanic waters, which inhabit up to depths of 1,000 m. Their role in marine ecology is significant, serving as a link in the trophic chain that connects first consumers with larger species in mesopelagic communities. Therefore, accurate species-level identification in early life stages is essential for clarifying the spawning and nursery areas of codlets. This study examined a total of 53 specimens of larvae and juveniles of Bregmacerotidae collected from the northwestern Pacific over an eight- year period from May 2017 to July 2024 via Bongo net. A total of 7 adult muscle tissues were used for molecular comparison with larvae and juvenile, which were provided by Kagoshima University Museum (KAUM), Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History (KPM-NI), Academia Sinica Institute of Zoology (ASIZP), Texas A&M University (TCWC). As a result, a total of 5 species were identified as follows: Bregmaceros japonicus (9.53-12.14 mm TL, n=2), B. nectabanus (2.82-35.94 mm TL, n=24), B. neonectabanus (3.80-15.37 mm TL, n=6), B. anchovia (18.07 mm TL, n=1), and Bregmaceros sp. (4.01-35.48 mm TL, n=20), The larvae and juveniles of Bregmacerotidae exhibit an elongate and slender body, with a single ray in the first dorsal fin located on the top of head and an elongated pelvic fin. All species showed distinct differences and were clearly distinguishable. Diagnostic characters enabling species identification at different developmental stages included the presence or absence of melanophores on the lower right side of the preopercle, the size, shape, and distribution pattern of lateral body melanophores, the presence or absence of melanophores on the caudal peduncle, and the degree of first dorsal fin development. We provide morphological descriptions and diagnostic keys for five Bregmacerotidae larvae and juveniles, including one species newly recorded in Korea, and suggest the potential existence of one undescribed species.