Chatham mudfish
The Chatham mudfish (Neochanna rekohua), formerly known as the Chathams galaxias (Galaxias rekohua), is a galaxiid fish endemic to two small, peaty lakes in southern Chatham Island, New Zealand.
| Chatham mudfish | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Galaxiiformes |
| Family: | Galaxiidae |
| Genus: | Neochanna |
| Species: | N. rekohua |
| Binomial name | |
| Neochanna rekohua (C. P. Mitchell, 1995) | |
It was discovered in 1994 by C.P. Mitchell, who initially placed it in the genus Galaxias, and gave it the species name rekohua after the Moriori word for the Chatham Islands.[2] In 2004, R.M. McDowall reassigned it to Neochanna based on its external anatomy, behaviour, and skeleton,[3] and this was subsequently supported by a genetic analysis.[4]
The Chatham mudfish is the most Galaxias-like of all the mudfishes, with a short body and small pelvic fins, and is closely related to the Canterbury mudfish.[5] Neochanna rekohua averages 75 mm (though the largest individuals can reach 175 mm), and is a dark mottled brown. It only lives on the edges of a few peaty lakes amongst submerged wood, so is naturally uncommon, but abundant in the few spots where it occurs.[5]
As of 2014, the IUCN indicated that the Chatham mudfish was a least-concern species.[1]
References
- West, D.; Ling, N.; Crow, S.; David, B.; Franklin, P.; Closs, G.; Hitchmough, R.; Surrey, G.; Cooper, D. (2014). "Neochanna rekohua". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T8818A3147332. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T8818A3147332.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- Mitchell, C.P. (1995). "A new species of Galaxias (Pisces, Galaxiidae) from Chatham Island, New Zealand". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 25 (1): 89–93. doi:10.1080/03014223.1995.9517484.
- McDowall, R.M. (2004). "The Chatham Islands endemic galaxiid: A Neochanna mudfish (Teleostei: Galaxiidae)". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 34 (3): 315–331. doi:10.1080/03014223.2004.9517769.
- Waters, J.M.; McDowall, R.M. (2005). "Phylogenetics of the Australasian mudfishes: evolution of an eel-like body plan". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 37 (2): 417–425. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2005.07.003. PMID 16137896.
- McQueen, Stella; Morris, Rod (2013). A Photographic Guide to Freshwater Fishes of New Zealand. Auckland: New Holland. p. 73. ISBN 978-1-86966-386-5.