plankton biology and ecology

	Plankton Biol. Ecol. Vol.51(2004), No.1, pp.36-51

	Taxonomic review of three Japanese species of edible jellyfish (Scyphozoa: Rhizostomeae)

	Makoto Omori¹ & Minoru Kitamura²

	¹ Akajima Marine Science Laboratory, 179 Aka, Zamamison, Okinawa, 901-3311, Japan ² Tokyo University of Fisheries, 4-5-7 Konan, Minatoku, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan. Present address: Marine Ecosystem Research Department, Japan Marine Science and Technology Center (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, 237-0061, Japan Received 24 April 2003; accepted 19 August 2003

	Specimens of three edible jellyfish from Japan, i.e. "Bizen kurage", "Hizen kurage", and "Echizen kurage", are re-examined and re-described so that their nomenclature is stabilized. The "Bizen kurage" is Rhopilema esculentum Kishinouye 1891, and the "Hizen kurage" is Rhopilema hispidum (Vanhöffen 1888). The "Echizen kurage" is a distinct species of the genus Nemopilema. We propose to revive the original name Nemopilema nomurai Kishinouye 1922 from the more commonly used Stomolophus nomurai. The taxonomic position of N. nomurai within the Scapulatae is discussed.

	Key words: edible jellyfish, taxonomy, Bizen kurage, Hizen kurage, Echizen kurage, Rhizostomeae.