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Issue: Vol. 4413 No. 2: 23 Apr. 2018
Type: Article
Published: 2018-04-23
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4413.2.3
Page range: 271–294
Abstract views: 172
PDF downloaded: 3

Revision of the Australian Wet Tropics endemic rainbowfish genus Cairnsichthys (Atheriniformes: Melanotaeniidae), with description of a new species

Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, PO Box 4646, Darwin, Northern Territory 0801.
Western Australian Museum, Locked Bag 49, Welshpool DC, Perth, Western Australia 6986.
P.O. Box 520 Clifton Beach Qld 4879 Australia.
Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000 School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005 Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2617
TropWATER, James Cook University, C/O CSIRO PO Box 780, Atherton, Queensland 4883
Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, PO Box 137, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084. Department of Ichthyology, Museum Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria 3001
Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2617
Pisces fishes freshwater biodiversity conservation taxonomy molecular systematics northern Australia

Abstract

The freshwater melanotaeniid genus Cairnsichthys is endemic to a relatively small area of specialised habitat within the Wet Tropics bioregion of north-eastern Queensland, Australia. It was previously considered as monotypic, including only a single species, C. rhombosomoides (Nichols & Raven, 1928). The recent discovery of an apparently-isolated population in the Daintree rainforest, approximately 120 km north of the known range extent, prompted a detailed investigation of its taxonomic status using a combined lines of evidence approach. We provide compelling evidence from multiple nuclear genetic markers (52 allozyme loci), mitochondrial DNA sequence data (1141 bp cytochrome b) and morphology (examination of a suite of 38 morphometric and meristic characters) that supports north-south splitting of C. rhombosomoides. Accordingly, we describe the northern population as a distinct species, C. bitaeniatus sp. nov., on the basis of 25 specimens, 34.7–65.6 mm SL. The new species differs morphologically primarily by having a more slender and narrow shape, featuring a flatter, straighter predorsal profile and shorter second dorsal fin base; possession of slightly smaller scales, reflected in higher counts of lateral scales and predorsal scales; typically more vertebrae; and colour differences including a more robust, short black stripe across the upper operculum, a pronounced yellow patch on the anteroventral body and usually a more conspicuous second dark stripe on the lower body, with adult males generally having yellowish compared to reddish fins. We also provide a generic diagnosis for Cairnsichthys and a redescription of C. rhombosomoides. Information on the known distribution, habitats and conservation status of species in the genus is summarised, the new species being of particular concern as a narrow range endemic with specific environmental requirements.

 

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