Lowland longjawed galaxias
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| Galaxias cobitinis McDowall & Waters, 2002 |
The lowland longjawed galaxias, Galaxias cobitinis, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, found only in the South Island of New Zealand, in the Kauru River, a tributary of the Kakanui River in north Otago, and in parts of the upper Waitaki catchment. It grows to a length of up to 7 cm.
Lowland longjawed galaxias are slender and elongate, having coloration consisting of spots and indistinct bands of various shades of brown and grey. The single dorsal and anal fins are about two thirds of the way along the body. Like all galaxiids it lacks scales and has a thick, leathery skin covered with mucus. The lower jaw is forward of the upper.
The recently separated lowland longjawed galaxias has only 5 pelvic fin rays, which distinguishes it from the longjawed galaxias Galaxias prognathus which has 7.
The lowland longjawed galaxias is non-diadromous, and the whole life cycle takes place in fresh water. Spawning occurs from March to May and also from October to November. They are nocturnal feeders and live on a variety of aquatic insects, especially mayflies.
[edit] References
- "Galaxias cobitinis". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. March 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
- NIWA June 2006
