2003/09/01 by R. M. McDowall, Jonathan M. Waters · 4 citations
Environmental Science · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Fish Ecology and Management Studies #Fish Biology and Ecology Studies #Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
paper · pdf · doi:10.1080/03014223.2003.9517752
openalex publication_date 2003/09/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/11
Abstract Galaxias macronasus n. sp. is described from three small upper tributaries of the Waitaki River System, Mackenzie Basin, central eastern South Island. It is distinctive in having a prominently rounded snout profile, with eyes well below profile, only 12–14 caudal fin rays, and 4–6, usually 5, pelvic fin rays. Morphologically, the new species most closely resembles G. paucispondylus and G. divergens which, with G. prognathus and G. cobitinis , are labelled the “pencil galaxias” owing to their elongate, slender, pencil shape. G. macronasus resembles these species in features of osteology of the cranium, suspensorium, and pectoral girdle. Gene sequencing strongly supports distinct taxonomic status of the new form, but provides a different perspective on its phylogenetic relationships. This conflict remains unresolved.