CLARIFICATION OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GALAXIELLA NIGROSTRIATA (SHIPWAY, 1953) AND GALAXIELLA MUNDA MCDOWALL, 1978 (PISCES GALAXIIDAE) FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 1 decade ago

Abstract: Galaxiella nigrostriata and G. munda are sympatarie speeies that are difficult to distinguish due to their similarity and to contradictions in previously published diagnoses. Additional more relia ble characters are as follows: the dorsal fin of G. nigrostriata originates anterior to the 5th anal ray. whereas in G. munda the dorsal fin originates posterior to the 5th anal ray. Immature G. nigrostriata have a thin. irregular white stripe on the lower side of the body from the pectoral fin to the anal fin. This stripe is lacking in small G. munda. Mature G. nigrostriata are easily distinguished by the presenee of two black lateral bands separated by an orange band. Additional meristic data are presented. and published errors are corrected.