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.