Which location is specifically listed as part of the natural range of *Z. flavescens*?
Answer
The Hawaiian Islands and the Ryukyu Islands.
The native geographic distribution of the Yellow Tang, *Zebrasoma flavescens*, is confined to the tropical marine environments of the greater Indo-Pacific region. Detailed mapping of this distribution confirms presence across several distinct island groups. Among the specific locations cited as part of this natural range are the Hawaiian Islands, known for their stable populations, as well as the Ryukyu Islands in the western Pacific. Other mentioned locales contributing to this wide, yet isolated, distribution include Wake Island and the Marquesas Islands. These widespread populations separated by vast oceanic areas hint at historical processes involving oceanic currents shaping speciation.
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