The waikaka or black mudfish (Neochanna diversus) is a fish of the family Galaxiidae,[1] found only in swamps and wetlands in the northern half of the North Island of New Zealand, from Kaitaia in the north to the Mokau River in the south.
| Black mudfish | |
|---|---|
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| N. diversus in Waikato, New Zealand | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Galaxiiformes |
| Family: | Galaxiidae |
| Genus: | Neochanna |
| Species: | N. diversus
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| Binomial name | |
| Neochanna diversus | |
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Taxonomy
editNeochanna diversus was described by Gerald Stokell in 1949.[3] The holotype was collected from Kaitaia, New Zealand by C.W. Devonshire, and is housed at Canterbury Museum in Christchurch.[3]
N. diversus differs from brown mudfish, N. apoda, in its "conical teeth in the jaws, the lower number of rays and the higher proportion of branched rays in the dorsal and anal fins, the shorter mouth and greater convexity of the profile of the snout."[3]
Description
editN. diversus is a blackish-grey galaxiid fish up to 12 cm long.
Ecology
editWhen water levels and dissolved oxygen content in water fall, N. diversus can aestivate in the ground.[4]
Uses
editIt is considered a local delicacy by the local Māori populace when prepared using ancestral cooking techniques.
Conservation status and threats
editN. diversus is listed as At Risk - Declining under the most recent assessment (2018) of the New Zealand Threatened Classification for fishes.[5]
An 85-90% loss of wetlands has occurred, especially from Waikato and Hauraki Plains. The most significant threat is wetland drainage, and this has slowed so the decline has stabilized; other threats include mosquitofish (which eat juveniles and compete with adults), pollution, sedimentation, and fires.[6]
Efforts by the New Zealand Department of Conservation and regional councils have helped protect and reintroduce the fish.[7]
Distribution and habitat
editN. diversus is endemic to the northern half of the North Island of New Zealand, from Kaitaia in the north to the Mokau River in the south.[4][8] The species is found in wetlands and streams that have still or gently flowing waters.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b West, D.; Crow, S.; David, B.; Franklin, P.; Allibone, R.; Closs, G.; Hitchmough, R.; Surrey, G.; Cooper, D. (2014). "Neochanna diversus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T14506A545893. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T14506A545893.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ "Neochanna diversus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 6 June 2006.
- ^ a b c Stokell, Gerald (1949-01-01). "The systematic arrangement of the New Zealand Galaxiidae. Part II. Specific classification". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 77: 472–496.
- ^ a b c Hicks, B. J.; Barrier, R. F. G. (1996-03-01). "Habitat requirements of black mudfish ( Neochanna diversus ) in the Waikato region, North Island, New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research. 30 (1): 135–150. Bibcode:1996NZJMF..30..135H. doi:10.1080/00288330.1996.9516703.
- ^ Allibone, Richard M.; Dunn, Nicholas R.; Closs, Gerard; Crow, Shannan K.; David, Bruno O.; Goodman, Jane M.; Griffiths, Marc; Jack, Daniel C.; Ling, Nicholas; Waters, Jonathan M.; Rolfe, Jeremy Richard (2017-01-01). "Conservation status of New Zealand freshwater fishes". New Zealand Threat Classification System. 24: 1–15.
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Neochanna diversus". FishBase. March 2006 version.
- ^ "NIWA June 2006". Archived from the original on 2006-08-28. Retrieved 2006-06-04.
- ^ Australia, Atlas of Living. "Species: Neochanna diversus". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
External links
edit- Neochanna diversus discussed on RNZ Critter of the Week, 2 February 2024