Limnology and aquatic fauna of EPP 173, Melaleuca Park, refuge for an outlier population of the Black-stripe minnow Galaxiella nigrostriata (Galaxiidae), in southwestern Australia

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 6 years ago

ABSTRACT – The physicochemistry, hydrology and invertebrate fauna are described for an unusual wetland, EPP 173, in Melaleuca Park, near Perth, Western Australia. EPP 173 is important as the site for a northern outlier population of the Black-stripe minnow, Galaxiella nigrostriata (Shipway), a fish endemic to southwestern Australia. EPP 173 is an acid (pH <5.5, typically pH 3.3 to 3.9), seasonal wetland with unusually dark water (TCU >1200). The colour of the water together with the surrounding forest and wetland vegetation facilitate the establishment and persistence of strong thermal stratification of the wetland in spring and summer. The invertebrate fauna comprises 41 species with a substantial benthic cladoceran component, including at least one species previously known only from southern wetlands between Augusta and Albany. The wetland is of high conservation value, containing no exotic species and low concentrations of nutrients accompanied by the absence of algal blooms. However, encroaching urban development is likely to alter the limnology of EPP 173, threatening the survival of the resident G. nigrostriata population.

Author(s) Brenton Knott, Edyta J. Jasinska and Kimberly D. Smith
Volume
Records 21 : Part 3
Article Published
2002
Page Number
291

DOI
10.18195/issn.0312-3162.21(3).2002.291-298