taxonID	type	description	language	source
500E8787FFD2D67FDE97F97DFA9FFAB6.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 8 DCA 0 F 5 F- 1 C 6 A- 4089 - B 735 - 2560443 B 72 C 6	en	Hammer, Michael P., Moore, Glenn I., Allen, Gerald R., Adams, Mark, Unmack, Peter J. (2026): Description of a freshwater eeltail catfish (Teleostei: Plotosidae) from sandstone habitat in the eastern Kimberley, Western Australia. Zootaxa 5750 (4): 505-525, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3
500E8787FFD2D67FDE97F97DFA9FFAB6.taxon	vernacular_names	Sandstone Catfish Ngarinyin name: Walaman jirri (generic sharp-spined plotosid)	en	Hammer, Michael P., Moore, Glenn I., Allen, Gerald R., Adams, Mark, Unmack, Peter J. (2026): Description of a freshwater eeltail catfish (Teleostei: Plotosidae) from sandstone habitat in the eastern Kimberley, Western Australia. Zootaxa 5750 (4): 505-525, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3
500E8787FFD2D67FDE97F97DFA9FFAB6.taxon	description	Figs 1 – 7, Tables 2 – 7	en	Hammer, Michael P., Moore, Glenn I., Allen, Gerald R., Adams, Mark, Unmack, Peter J. (2026): Description of a freshwater eeltail catfish (Teleostei: Plotosidae) from sandstone habitat in the eastern Kimberley, Western Australia. Zootaxa 5750 (4): 505-525, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3
500E8787FFD2D67FDE97F97DFA9FFAB6.taxon	materials_examined	Material Examined (all Western Australia). Holotype: WAM P. 34043 - 011, 91.3 mm SL, small falls upstream at Jack’s Waterhole, Durack River, Pentecost River system, G. Moore, M. Hammer & P. Jackson, back-pack electrofisher, 3 June 2014. Paratypes: NTM S. 17750 - 001 (aquarium image), 126.5 mm SL, data as per holotype; WAM P. 34041 - 011 (tissue A 03241), 102.9 mm SL, downstream of Scotty-Salmon Gorge, Chapman River, Pentecost River system, G. Moore & M. Hammer, back-pack electrofisher, 3 June 2014; WAM P. 34035 - 011 (tissues A 03129 – 130), 2 specimens 83.7 – 95.5 mm SL, below cliff, Horse Creek, Pentecost River system, G. Moore, M. Hammer & L. Smith, back-pack electrofisher, 28 May 2014; NMV A. 31775 - 145, 173.6 mm SL, mid-section Drysdale River, J. Shelley & M. Le Feuvre, 27 January 2013; WAM P. 25404 - 008, 102.4 mm SL, rapids mid-section Drysdale River, B. Hutchins, rotenone, 4 August 1975; WAM P. 25410.008, 4 specimens 62.0 – 121.1 mm SL (one cleared and stained), mid-section Drysdale River, B. Hutchins, rotenone, 7 August 1975. Comparative material: see Table 2.	en	Hammer, Michael P., Moore, Glenn I., Allen, Gerald R., Adams, Mark, Unmack, Peter J. (2026): Description of a freshwater eeltail catfish (Teleostei: Plotosidae) from sandstone habitat in the eastern Kimberley, Western Australia. Zootaxa 5750 (4): 505-525, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3
500E8787FFD2D67FDE97F97DFA9FFAB6.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A small plotosid with a moderately extended caudodorsal fin (originating just posterior to mid-point of body), small first dorsal fin, depressed head, hard dorsal and pectoral spines, first dorsal I, 4 – 5, second dorsal 44 – 52, pre-caudal vertebrae 8 – 9 and caudal vertebrae 35 – 39.	en	Hammer, Michael P., Moore, Glenn I., Allen, Gerald R., Adams, Mark, Unmack, Peter J. (2026): Description of a freshwater eeltail catfish (Teleostei: Plotosidae) from sandstone habitat in the eastern Kimberley, Western Australia. Zootaxa 5750 (4): 505-525, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3
500E8787FFD2D67FDE97F97DFA9FFAB6.taxon	description	Description. Based on 11 specimens, 62.0 – 173.6 mm SL, with a full summary of data provided in Table 7. Counts and measurements of holotype are indicated with an asterisk (*) within range. Body eel-like, moderately long and slender, laterally compressed, not tapering greatly posteriorly; minute papillae densely covering skin on head and body (development varying across individuals); first dorsal fin relatively short, its tip rounded, originating behind vertical through pelvic fin origin; pectoral fins inserted just behind opercular margin; tips of pectoral fins slightly pointed to well rounded; posterior edges of pectoral fin spines with few but large serrations on inner half; caudodorsal fin originating moderately far forward, just posterior to mid-point of body or above middle of anal fin. Head robust, moderately depressed dorsoventrally, its width similar to height and 66 % of head length; dorsal profile of head slightly convex and relatively flat; snout rounded in lateral view, its length about 40 % of head length; mouth subterminal; lips fleshy; anterior naris a short tube above upper lip; posterior naris with ovate opening and positioned directly behind nasal barbel; eyes moderately sized, on anterior half of head and dorso-laterally positioned; all barbels relatively long, reaching beyond eye (nasal and inner mental) or well beyond eye close to base of gill opening (maxillary and outer mental); dermal fold on chin moderately well developed, forming pit midway between lower lip and ventral gill opening; branchiostegal membranes fused within fleshy gill cover and free from isthmus; oral dentition composed of long slender conical teeth in 2 – 3 rows on upper and lower jaws with outer teeth largest, and a patch of 5 mainly stout conical teeth on palate. Precaudal vertebrae 8 – 9 *; caudal vertebrae 35 – 39 *; total vertebrae 44 – 48 *; first dorsal fin rays I, 4 or 5 *; second dorsal fin rays 44 – 52 (45 *); anal fin rays 65 – 74 (72 *); caudal fin rays 8 – 10 (9 *); total caudodorsal fin elements 119 – 130 (126 *); pectoral fin rays I, 11 – 13 *; pelvic fin rays 12 – 14 *; branchiostegal rays 8 * – 9; gill rakers on first arch 7 – 8 * upper plus 19 – 21 (20 *) lower; total rakers 26 – 29 (28 *). Body depth 15 – 17 (16 *) % of SL; head length 22 * – 23 % of SL; head width 65 – 78 (68 *) % of HL; head height 53 – 65 (61 *) % of HL; snout length 40 – 46 (41 *) % of HL; eye diameter 19 – 22 * % of HL; interorbital width 33 * – 36 % of HL; nasal barbel length 49 – 84 (57 *) % of HL; maxillary barbel length 60 – 96 (80 *) % of HL; outer mental barbel length 57 – 82 (77 *) % of HL; inner mental barbel length 44 * – 73 % of HL; caudodorsal length 28 * – 31 % of SL; first dorsal fin height 76 – 87 (79 *) % of HL; pectoral fin length 63 – 75 (66 *) % of HL; pelvic fin length 41 – 57 (50 *) % of HL; predorsal length 27 * – 29 % of SL; anal fin length 56 – 58 * % of SL; and preanal length 41 – 45 (43 *) % of SL.	en	Hammer, Michael P., Moore, Glenn I., Allen, Gerald R., Adams, Mark, Unmack, Peter J. (2026): Description of a freshwater eeltail catfish (Teleostei: Plotosidae) from sandstone habitat in the eastern Kimberley, Western Australia. Zootaxa 5750 (4): 505-525, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3
500E8787FFD2D67FDE97F97DFA9FFAB6.taxon	materials_examined	Colouration of preserved material. Uniform dark to light brown, lighter on ventral surface of abdomen (Fig. 5). Colouration of fresh material. Variable, from uniform dark brown to yellowish brown, with some speckling, and abdomen paler yellow-grey. Fins brown, but sometimes with yellowish hue, especially when freshly caught and illuminated with sunlight (Figs 6 – 7). Comparisons. The new species is superficially similar to three other co-occurring Neosilurus in the Kimberley, which can all display a generally darker brown body colour in the right circumstances (see visual guide to species in Fig. 7). However, the dorsal extent of the caudodorsal fin (to about half length of body, correlating with high second dorsal fin rays = 44 – 52) is greater in comparison to all other species in the region (1 / 3 or less the length of anal fin, <43 rays), and most contrasting to the very short extent observed in N. hyrtlii (<30 rays). The small first dorsal fin, gently sloping head and fewer anal fin rays (<75) are a further distinction when compared with the larger growing, steep headed N. ater. The stout dorsal and pectoral spines that project with a sharp tip contrast with the soft flexible spines of N. pseudospinosus, which can be further separated from the new species by its higher number of caudal vertebrae (typically 40 or more vs 35 – 39).	en	Hammer, Michael P., Moore, Glenn I., Allen, Gerald R., Adams, Mark, Unmack, Peter J. (2026): Description of a freshwater eeltail catfish (Teleostei: Plotosidae) from sandstone habitat in the eastern Kimberley, Western Australia. Zootaxa 5750 (4): 505-525, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3
500E8787FFD2D67FDE97F97DFA9FFAB6.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Poorly known, but so far recorded from two locations representing (a) three streams in the Pentecost River system, and (b) a small section of the mid-Drysdale River main channel, and likely to be more widespread in suitable habitats (Fig. 1). To place this geographic range in context referencing IUCN Red List assessment criteria, it is well less than the 5000 km 2 extent of occurrence threshold of Criterion B (Geographic Distribution) for being considered Endangered (IUCN, 2024), in conjunction with current and future threats (see discussion section below).	en	Hammer, Michael P., Moore, Glenn I., Allen, Gerald R., Adams, Mark, Unmack, Peter J. (2026): Description of a freshwater eeltail catfish (Teleostei: Plotosidae) from sandstone habitat in the eastern Kimberley, Western Australia. Zootaxa 5750 (4): 505-525, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3
500E8787FFD2D67FDE97F97DFA9FFAB6.taxon	biology_ecology	Ecology. Recorded in rocky stream sections including gorge and constrained valleys, in flowing stream or riffle microhabitats (dry season conditions), and likely to occupy larger refuge pools nearby (Fig. 6). The presence of relatively large teeth may be an indication of a specialised predatory diet; otherwise, all aspects of biology remain to be determined.	en	Hammer, Michael P., Moore, Glenn I., Allen, Gerald R., Adams, Mark, Unmack, Peter J. (2026): Description of a freshwater eeltail catfish (Teleostei: Plotosidae) from sandstone habitat in the eastern Kimberley, Western Australia. Zootaxa 5750 (4): 505-525, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3
500E8787FFD2D67FDE97F97DFA9FFAB6.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species epithet is derived from manjan di, from the language of the Ngarinyin people that literally means sandstone, in reference to the species habitat. The name was chosen in collaboration with the Nyaliga Aboriginal Corporation on whose Country the holotype specimen (type locality) of this species was collected.	en	Hammer, Michael P., Moore, Glenn I., Allen, Gerald R., Adams, Mark, Unmack, Peter J. (2026): Description of a freshwater eeltail catfish (Teleostei: Plotosidae) from sandstone habitat in the eastern Kimberley, Western Australia. Zootaxa 5750 (4): 505-525, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5750.4.3
