Galaxias mcdowalli

Last updated

Galaxias mcdowalli
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Galaxiiformes
Family: Galaxiidae
Genus: Galaxias
Species:
G. mcdowalli
Binomial name
Galaxias mcdowalli
Raadik, 2014

Galaxias mcdowalli, McDowall's galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias , a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia. [2] [3]

Contents

Named in honor of Robert (Bob) Montgomery McDowall (1939-2011).

Description

Similar to other members of the species complex with a long, tubular body; flattened on the back in front of the pelvic fins. Commonly 65–75 millimetres (2.6–3.0 in) in length to a maximum recorded size of 84 millimetres (3.3 in). Viewed from the side the back and belly surfaces are evenly arched from the snout to the tail, with the back slightly more so. Medium sized head, wider than deep with a slight wedge shape from the side view. [3]

Fins somewhat fleshy at their bases, moderately long and rounded. Anal and dorsal fin bases roughly equal and moderately long. Pectoral fins relatively short and paddle shaped and low on the body. Pelvic fins also short and positioned about the mid point of the body. Tail of medium length with moderately well developed flanges along the caudal peduncle. [3]

G. mcdowalli is mainly olive-brown over the back and sides above the lateral line extending to the top of the head and snout, fading to light brown to cream lower on the body and becoming white on the belly. Small to medium dark spots and blotches overlay the base colour with some joining up to form uneven vertical bars. There is a wide, mid side line of gold speckles tending to iridescent at the rear of the fish. A thin line of gold speckles exists on the middle of the back, running from the nape to the dorsal fin. Gill covers are translucent with a large gold patch; iris golden and fins translucent grey to light brown or olive-grey. [3]

Distribution

Distribution map of Galaxias mcdowalli, McDowall's Galaxias Galaxias mcdowalli distribution.jpg
Distribution map of Galaxias mcdowalli, McDowall's Galaxias

Recorded from the headwaters of the Rodger River, a tributary of the Snowy River, in East Gippsland at an elevation 680 metres (2,230 ft). Not present in the mid to lower reaches of the Rodger River where introduced brown trout have colonised. It is believed an in-stream barrier has prevented further upstream migration of trout. [3]

Historically, it is believed this species' range may have extended into the Snowy River and the lower Buchan River, prior to the introduction of brown trout which significantly reduced the range. [3]

Habitat

McDowall's galaxias is found in a cool, clear, heavily vegetated river. The river is shallow, 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) deep, and 3–5 metres (9.8–16.4 ft) wide with pools ranging from 1–2 metres (3.3–6.6 ft) in depth. The river bottom is mainly sand, silt and clay with some cobble and pebble areas. In-stream cover is provided by overhanging vegetation, undercut banks and woody debris. [3]

Lifecycle/Reproduction

Limited to freshwater with no downstream migration to brackish water or the sea during its lifecycle. Spawning season unknown but believed to be late spring to summer. [3]

Conservation

Critically endangered, protected under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. [3] [4] [2]

Utility to humans

Not an angling target due to small size and conservation status.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountain galaxias (species complex)</span> Group of fishes

The mountain galaxias is a species complex of freshwater galaxiid fish found all over southeast Australia.

<i>Galaxias olidus</i> Species of fish

Galaxias olidus, the mountain galaxias, is a species of freshwater galaxiid fish widely found in southeastern Australia.

Galaxias fuscus, the barred galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eldon's galaxias</span> Species of fish

Eldon's galaxias is an endangered galaxiid fish endemic to New Zealand. One of several fishes in the genus Galaxias found in Central Otago, it has a very small home range and is at risk of being driven to extinction by trout introduced for recreational fishing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gollum galaxias</span> Species of fish

Gollum galaxias is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, found only in southern temperate regions in New Zealand. The species is widespread in rivers throughout the Southland Plains as well as the Von River and Nevis River tributaries of the Clutha River The species is found on Stewart Island/Rakiura, and throughout the Catlins.

<i>Galaxias</i> Genus of fishes

Galaxias is a genus of small freshwater fish in the family Galaxiidae, and are frequently referred to as the galaxiids. These highly adaptable fish are typically found at temperate latitudes across the Southern Hemisphere.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spotted galaxias</span> Species of fish

Spotted galaxias is a largish, primarily-freshwater galaxias species found in southern Australia. Spotted galaxias are perhaps the most beautiful of the Australian galaxias species. They are a somewhat tubular, deep-bodied fish, with a dusky brownish-red colouration overlain with dark, haloed spots, dramatic black edges to dorsal, anal and pelvic fins, and a dark diagonal stripe through the eye.

Robert Montgomery McDowall was one of New Zealand's most prominent freshwater ichthyologists.

Galaxias aequipinnis, the East Gippsland galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, a member of the Mountain galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia.

Galaxias arcanus, the riffle galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia.

Galaxias brevissimus, the short-tail galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia.

Galaxias gunaikurnai, the Shaw galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, a member of the Mountain galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia.

Galaxias lanceolatus, the tapered galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia.

Galaxias longifundus, the West Gippsland galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia.

Galaxias mungadhan, the Dargo galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Victoria, Australia.

Galaxias oliros, the obscure galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia.

Galaxias ornatus, the ornate galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia.

<i>Galaxias supremus</i> Species of fish

Galaxias supremus, commonly known as the Kosciuszko galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, a member of the Mountain galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia.

Galaxias tantangara, commonly known as the stocky galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, a member of the Mountain galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia. Only discovered in 2014, the fish is classed as critically endangered, mainly because of being preyed upon by introduced species of trout.

Galaxias terenasus, the roundsnout galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia.

References

  1. Raadik, T. (2019). "Galaxias mcdowalli". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T122902356A123382131. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T122902356A123382131.en . Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  2. 1 2 Australian Society for Fish Biology threatened species committee. "Conservation Status of Australian Fishes - 2016" . Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Raadik, T.A. (2014). "Fifteen from one: a revision of the Galaxias olidus Günther, 1866 complex (Teleostei, Galaxiidae) in south-eastern Australia recognises three previously described taxa and describes 12 new species" (PDF). Zootaxa. 3898 (1): 1–198. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3898.1.1. PMID   25543673.
  4. "Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, Threatened List' November 2019" (PDF). Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning. Retrieved 13 December 2019.