Galaxiella

Coleman, Rhys A., Hoffmann, Ary A. & Raadik, Tarmo A., 2015, A review of Galaxiella pusilla (Mack) (Teleostei: Galaxiidae) in south-eastern Australia with a description of a new species, Zootaxa 4021 (2), pp. 243-281 : 260

Key to species of Galaxiella

(adapted from McDowall & Frankenberg 1981)

1. Usually 6 pelvic fin rays (range 5–7); usually 10–11 pectoral fin rays (range 9–12); usually 16–19 total gill rakers (range 16– 20); usually 40–42 vertebrae (range 38–43). (Western Australia from near Margaret River in the west, Albany to the east and north of Perth)............................................................ Galaxiella munda McDowall 1978

- Usually 5 pelvic fin rays (range 4–6); usually 11–13 pectoral fin rays (range 10–14); usually 14–18 total gill rakers (range 12– 20) and usually 36–40 vertebrae (range 34–43).............................................................. 2

2. Usually 14 caudal fin rays (range 12–15); 8 pores in preopercular-suborbital-supramaxillary series; 2 distinct lateral longitudinal dark stripes. (Western Australia from Augusta in the west and Albany to the east and north of Perth)...................................................................................... Galaxiella nigrostriata ( Shipway 1953)

- Usually 13 caudal fin rays (range 11–15); 7 pores in preopercular-suborbital-supramaxillary series; 3 distinct lateral longitudinal dark stripes (mid stripe and particularly dorsal stripe can be poorly defined in females)............................ 3

3. Usually 39 vertebrae (range 36–41); origin of dorsal fin distinctly posterior to that of anal fin, with horizontal distance between dorsal fin and anal fin origins 1.4–3.8 % of SL (females 1.4–2.8 % (range 0.0– 3.8), males 2.4–3.8 % (range 0.52–5.67 )); caudal peduncle of moderate length, 21.3–23.8 % of SL (females 21.3–23.1 % (range 18.4–25.5), males 21.9–23.8 % (range 20.3 – 26.0)); adult females up to 32.7 mm SL (mean 27.2) and adult males up to 28.2 mm SL (mean 23.6); ventral markings distinct, most commonly a ‘v’-shaped dark mark originating in the isthmus and extending as two parallel dotted lines (sometimes discontinuous) to the pelvic fin bases. (South-eastern Australia from Bairnsdale in eastern Victoria to south-east Melbourne, including Flinders Island and north-eastern and north-western Tasmania)................. Galaxiella pusilla ( Mack 1936)

- Usually 36 vertebrae (range 34–38); origin of dorsal fin is more or less in line with that of anal fin (particularly females), with the horizontal distance between dorsal fin and anal fin origins usually 0.0– 2.7 % of SL (females 0.0– 1.4 % (range - 2.5–2.8), males 1.3–2.7 % (range - 2.6–3.9); caudal peduncle relatively short, usually 19.6–21.9 % of SL (females 19.6–21.2 % (range 17.2–23.8), males 20.1–21.9 % (range 17.9–24.4 )); adult females up to 30.6 mm SL (mean 24.2) and adult males up to 24.0 mm SL (mean 20.2); ventral markings reduced, most commonly a small number of dark blotches in the vicinity of the isthmus. (South-eastern Australia from Barwon Downs in western Victoria to near the Coorong in south-eastern South Australia)............................................................................ Galaxiella toourtkoourt new species.