Toxotes kimberleyensis

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Toxotes kimberleyensis
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Toxotidae
Genus: Toxotes
Species:
T. kimberleyensis
Binomial name
Toxotes kimberleyensis
Allen, 2004
Toxotes kimberleyensis distribution.png
T. kimberleyensis range

Toxotes kimberleyensis is a species of archerfish found in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. [2] It was first named by Gerald R. Allen in 2004, [2] and is commonly known as the Kimberley archerfish, largescale archerfish, or western archerfish. [3]

Contents

Taxonomy

Archerfish are distributed throughout the waters of Australia and Indonesia, including a population in western Australia historically identified as Toxotes oligolepis . In 1978, in his Review of the Archerfishes, Gerald R. Allen suggested that "there is a possibility that [this population] may represent a distinct species". [4] [5] A direct comparison with the type material of T. oligolepis in 2001 revealed the Kimberley specimens differed in several ways, including having a deeper body and shorter dorsal fin spines. [4] The specific name kimberleyensis refers to the Kimberley region of western Australia, where the species is localized.

Description

T. kimberleyensis can be identified from its fins, with five spines and 11–13 soft rays on the dorsal fin, three spines and 14–16 rays on the anal fin, and 12–13 pectoral rays. There are between 28 and 33 scales on the lateral line, which is nearly unbroken except at the pectoral fin. The pelvic fins are short. There are six to seven gill rakers on the lower limb of the first branchial arch. [4]

T. kimberleyensis can reach up to about 12.6 cm (5.0 in) in length, has a large mouth opening at an angle and fine villiform teeth. The head and body are smooth with very fine scales, but the scales are toothed as is common for perciform fish. T. kimberleyensis is silvery or silvery-white in color, with black side markings. The sides of the body are marked with four to five black bars which may be wedge-shaped or rounded. In young specimens, the fins are translucent or transparent, but adults have grey or black fins. [4]

Differences from T. oligolepis

Toxotes oligolepis and Toxotes kimberleyensis have a similar colour pattern. [6] Nonetheless, T. kimberleyensis differs from T. oligolepis in several notable respects. The type specimen of T. oligolepis was thought to have been collected near Buru. T. oligolepis has longer dorsal spines overall than those observed in the Kimberley region population. The third dorsal spine of T. oligolepis is distinctive and extends higher than the rest of the soft dorsal fin, whereas the fourth and fifth spines of T. kimberleyensis are longest. However, the spines of T. kimberleyensis do not extend beyond the height of the soft portion of the dorsal fin. T. oligolepis also has around 25 scales on its lateral line, compared to 30–31 typically (and up to 33) for T. kimberleyensis. [4]

Distribution and habitat

Toxotes kimberleyensis is restricted to inland fresh water habitats such as rivers. [2] [7] The known range of T. kimberleyensis is limited to the western Kimberley district of Australia, based on surveys conducted over three decades. [8] It is common in the Fitzroy River, but has also been observed in the Isdell River, the Meda River, and the May River, where it is nonetheless rarer. Its relatives, the seven-spot archerfish (T. chatareus) and the banded archerfish (T. jaculatrix) can be found on the coast in brackish water or even saltwater, but T. kimberleyensis only inhabits freshwater environments. [2] However, T. kimberleyensis can be found as much as 300 kilometres (190 mi) upstream in the Fitzroy River and has been observed as far upstream as the Geikie Gorge National Park. [4]

T. kimberleyensis prefers deep freshwater pools but swims near the surface and near the shore. Like all archerfish, it feeds by shooting a jet of water from its mouth, knocking insects on overhanging vegetation near the shore into the water. [4] [6]

Related Research Articles

Archerfish Family of fishes

The archerfish form a monotypic family, Toxotidae, of fish known for their habit of preying on land-based insects and other small animals by shooting them down with water droplets from their specialized mouths. The family is small, consisting of ten species in a single genus Toxotes. Most species live in fresh water rivers, streams and pools, but two or three are euryhaline, inhabiting both fresh and brackish water habitats such as estuaries and mangroves. They can be found from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, through Southeast Asia, to Northern Australia and Melanesia.

Toxotes may refer to:

Big scale archerfish Species of fish

The big scale archerfish is a species of fish in the family Toxotidae. It is endemic to the Molucca Islands (Indonesia) and possibly the Philippines. Almost nothing is known about this species and there is only a single confirmed specimen, which likely was collected from Bacan ("Batjan") Islands. It was formerly reported from Western Australia, but this is a separate species, T. kimberleyensis.

Mud whiting Species of fish

The mud whiting, Sillago lutea, is a species of coastal marine fish in the smelt-whiting family Sillaginidae. The mud whiting was first described in 1985 and is currently known from the north west coast of Australia and the Indian coast.

Shadow trevally Species of fish

The shadow trevally, also known as the shadow kingfish, twothread trevally or Aldabra trevally, is a species of inshore marine fish in the jack family Carangidae. The species is patchily distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and west Pacific Oceans, from South Africa in the west to Japan and Samoa in the east, reaching as far south as Indonesia and New Caledonia. It is most easily distinguished from similar species by as series of dark rectangular blotches under the second dorsal fin, giving a 'shadowed' appearance, from which its common name is derived. The shadow trevally is a reasonably large fish, growing to 85 cm in length and at least 2.6 kg in weight. It inhabits shallow coastal waters, including reefs, bays, and estuaries, where it takes small fish and benthic crustaceans as prey. Nothing is known of the species' ecology and reproductive biology. It is of little importance to fisheries, and is occasionally taken by bottom trawls and other artisanal fishing gear.

Blue trevally Species of fish

The blue trevally, also known as the banded trevally, barred trevally, Ferdau's trevally or Forskaal's jackfish, is a common, widespread species of pelagic marine fish classified in the jack family, Carangidae. The blue trevally is distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific and central Pacific regions, ranging from South Africa in the west to Hawaii in the east. It is a moderately large fish, growing to a recorded maximum length of 70 cm, with the number of rays in the second dorsal fin and the colouring serving as diagnostic features of the species. The species inhabits waters to depths of 60 m, generally inhabiting reefs, beaches, lagoons, and areas with sandy substrates. It is a predatory fish, taking other fish, prawns, crabs, and molluscs, and very little is known of the species' reproductive biology. The blue trevally is of varying importance to fisheries throughout its range, with some regions having high catches of the fish. It is considered to be a gamefish, and is sought after for its excellent eating qualities.

Yellowspotted trevally Species of fish

The yellowspotted trevally, also known as the yellowspotted kingfish, goldspotted trevally or tarrum, is a widespread species of large inshore marine fish in the jack family Carangidae. The yellowspotted trevally inhabits the tropical and subtropical waters of the western Indo-Pacific region, from South Africa in the west to Japan and Australia in the east. The species is known to grow to a maximum length of at least 1.2 m, and is distinguished by gill raker and fin morphology, as well as the distinctive golden spots which give the fish its name. The yellowspotted trevally generally prefers inshore rocky and coral reefs, but is occasionally found over deep offshore sand banks to a depth of 100 m. It is a predatory fish, taking fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans, and shows diet partitioning with other trevallies in studies conducted in Australian waters. Reproduction is poorly studied, although observational evidence suggests spawning occurs in aggregations, probably during summer in South Africa. It is generally of minor importance to commercial fisheries throughout its range, but is considered an excellent sportfish by anglers and spearfishermen, and a good table fish.

Duskyshoulder trevally Species of fish

The duskyshoulder trevally or epaulet trevally, is a species of small inshore marine fish in the jack family, Carangidae. It is distributed through the eastern Indian and western Pacific Oceans, ranging from eastern India to northern Australia and Taiwan. It is relatively small by carangid standards, reaching only 27 cm maximum length, and can be distinguished by the large, black blotches on its shoulders. The duskyshoulder trevally is an inshore fish living in waters less than 50 m deep, over sandy substrates in bays and on the continental shelf. It is a predatory fish, taking demersal fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods, with nothing known of its reproductive habits. It is of little value to fisheries, often taken as bycatch in prawn trawling operations.

Imposter trevally Species of fish

The imposter trevally, also known as the imposter jack or white-tongued trevally, is a species of small coastal marine fish in the jack family Carangidae. The imposter trevally is distributed through the tropical waters of Indian and west Pacific oceans, from the Gulf of Oman in the west to Japan and Australia in the east. The species is quite similar to the Malabar trevally, but can be distinguished by its gill raker count, and is identifiable from other species by having a white to pale grey tongue. It is a relatively small species, growing to a maximum recorded length of 30 cm. The imposter trevally inhabits coastal waters of the continental shelf in depths of up to 140 m, often associating with closely related carangid species. It preys on a range of small fish, crustaceans and cephalopods, but little is known of its reproductive biology. The imposter trevally is of minor importance to fisheries throughout its range, taken by hook and line, bottom trawls and several types of artisanal gear.

Pethia cumingii, known as the Cuming's barb or the two spot barb, is a species of cyprinid fish endemic to Sri Lanka.

Redeye barb Species of fish

The redeye barb or Beira barb, is a widespread African species of freshwater cyprinid fish which is found from Uganda south to the Limpopo River and Incomati River systems in South Africa.

Banded archerfish Species of fish

The banded archerfish is a brackish water perciform fish of the archerfish genus Toxotes. It is silvery in colour and has a dorsal fin towards the posterior end. It has distinctive, semi-triangular markings along its sides. It is best known for its ability to spit a jet of water to "shoot down" prey. Larger specimens may be able to hit prey 2 to 3 metres away. The banded archerfish may reach the displaced prey within 50 milliseconds of its hitting the water.

<i>Toxotes chatareus</i> Species of perciform fish in the archerfish genus Toxotes

Toxotes chatareus, sometimes known by the common names common archerfish, seven-spot archerfish or largescale archerfish, is a species of perciform fish in the archerfish genus Toxotes.

Smallscale archerfish Species of fish

The smallscale archerfish is a perciform fish of genus Toxotes. As its name suggests, the scales of the smallscale archerfish are smaller than those of other archerfish. They reach a maximum length of 15 centimetres (5.9 in). Smallscale archerfish live in the tropical Indo-Pacific region and are potamodromous, moving between fresh and brackish water through their lifetimes.

<i>Toxotes blythii</i> Species of fish

Toxotes blythii, the clouded archerfish or zebra archerfish, is a perciform fish of genus Toxotes. It is found in rivers and estuaries in Myanmar, ranging from the lower Irrawaddy to the Tenasserim Division, including lower Sittaung and Salween. Unlike some other archerfish, it is restricted to fresh water. This species was formerly thought to be identical to T. microlepis. However, differences in structure and colouration caused the splitting of T. blythii into a new species. It is sometimes seen in the aquarium trade, but is generally rare.

Toxotes lorentzi is a tropical freshwater fish found in streams and swamps of the Northern Territory of Australia, Irian Jaya (Indonesia), and Papua New Guinea. It was first named by Weber in 1910, and is commonly known as the primitive archerfish or Lorentz's archerfish.

<i>Apeltes</i> Genus of fishes

Apeltes quadracus, the fourspine stickleback or bloody stickleback is a species of stickleback belonging to the order Gasterosteiformes which lives in freshwater, brackish and benthopelagic environments of the northwestern Atlantic Ocean between Newfoundland and South Carolina.

<i>Lutjanus johnii</i> Species of fish

Lutjanus johnii, John's snapper, the golden snapper,big-scaled bream, fingermark bream, fingermark seaperch, John's sea-perch, or spotted-scale sea perch, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a snapper belonging to the family Lutjanidae. It is native to the western Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Spotbanded scat Species of fish

The spotbanded scat,(Selenotoca multifasciata), also known as the striped scat, banded scat, barred scat, butterfish, John Dory, Johnny Dory, old maid, Southern butter-fish or striped butterfish, is a species of ray-finned fish, belonging to the family Scatophagidae, the scats. They are found in the eastern Indian Ocean and southwestern Pacific Ocean.

<i>Lutjanus endecacanthus</i>

Lutjanus endecacanthus, the Guinea snapper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a snapper belonging to the family Lutjanidae. It is found on the west coast of Africa in the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

References

  1. Moore, G.; Morgan, D.L. (2019). "Toxotes kimberleyensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T122913483A123382356. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T122913483A123382356.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Toxotes kimberleyensis at www.fishbase.org.
  3. Common names for Toxotes kimberleyensis at www.fishbase.org.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Gerald R. Allen (2004). "Toxotes kimberleyensis, a new species of archerfish (Pisces: Toxotidae) from fresh waters of Western Australia" (PDF). Records of the Australian Museum . 56: 225–230. doi:10.3853/j.0067-1975.56.2004.1423.
  5. Allen, Gerald R (1978). "A Review of the Archerfishes (Family: Toxotidae)" (PDF). Rec. West. Aust. Mus. 6 (4): 355–378. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  6. 1 2 Dianne J. Bray, 2011, Kimberley Archerfish, Toxotes kimberleyensis, in Fishes of Australia, accessed 18 May 2016.
  7. Maurice Kottelat; Tan Heok Hui (2018). "Three new species of archerfishes from the freshwaters of Southeast Asia (Teleostei: Toxotidae) and notes on Henri Mouhot's fish collections". Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. IEF-952: 1–19. doi:10.23788/IEF-952.
  8. Morgan, David L; Allen, Gerald R; Pusey, Bradley James; Burrows, Damien (2011). A review of the freshwater fishes of the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Auckland, N.Z.: Magnolia Press. p. 17. ISBN   978-1-86977-701-2.