Lowland longjawed galaxias

Taxobox
name = Lowland longjawed galaxias
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Osmeriformes
familia = Galaxiidae
subfamilia = Galaxiinae
genus = "Galaxias"
species = "G. cobitinis"
binomial = "Galaxias cobitinis"
binomial_authority = McDowall & Waters, 2002

The lowland longjawed galaxias, "Galaxias cobitinis", is a galaxiid of the genus "Galaxias", found only in the South Island of New Zealand, in the Kauru River, a tributary of the Kakanui River in north Otago, and in parts of the upper Waitaki catchment. It grows to a length of up to 7 cm.

Lowland longjawed galaxias are slender and elongate, having coloration consisting of spots and indistinct bands of various shades of brown and grey. The single dorsal and anal fins are about two thirds of the way along the body. Like all galaxiids it lacks scales and has a thick, leathery skin covered with mucus. The lower jaw is forward of the upper.

The recently separated lowland longjawed galaxias has only 5 pelvic fin rays, which distinguishes it from the longjawed galaxias "Galaxias prognathus" which has 7.

The lowland longjawed galaxias is non-diadromous, and the whole life cycle takes place in fresh water. Spawning occurs from March to May and also from October to November. They are nocturnal feeders and live on a variety of aquatic insects, especially mayflies.

References

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* [http://www.niwascience.co.nz/rc/freshwater/fishatlas/species/lowland_longjaw_galaxias NIWA June 2006]