Yalmy Galaxias, Galaxias sp. nov. 'Yalmy'

Summary:

This species is only known from very small sections of streams in East Gippsland, Victoria.

Cite this page as:

Bray, D.J. 2022, Galaxias sp. nov. 'Yalmy' in Fishes of Australia, accessed 20 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/5532

Yalmy Galaxias, Galaxias sp. nov. 'Yalmy'

More Info

Distribution	Restricted to the mid-reaches of the Yalmy River, Serpentine Creek, and the lower Rodger River, partly within the Snowy River National Park, Victoria, at an elevational range of 140-250 m asl. The species is known to only inhabit a 9.0 km stretch of stream. Inhabits small shallow, clear flowing streams that are partly shaded in a forested catchment - with a mostly cobble substrate.
Conservation	IUCN Critically EndangeredASFB Critically Endangered This species is considered to have been historically more widespread in the Snowy River catchment. Over the past two decades, this catchment has been impacted by recurring droughts and fires, which in turn has affected population densities of the Yalmy Galaxias (Raadik 2019). In January 2020, extensive bushfires burnt through the known habitat of the Yalmy Galaxias. Heavy rains following the fires may further endanger this species by washing ash, sediment and toxic chemicals into rivers and streams.
Remarks	The entire distribution of this species was burnt in the 2019/20 bushfires and the region received heavy rainfall before salvage efforts could be made. When the salvage was conducted the stream habitat was catastrophically impacted and only seven fish were caught. They were salvaged and translocated to an aquarium facility at the Arthur Rylah Institute, Victoria, for temporary captive management in February 2020. (Shelley et al. 2021)
Similar Species	This species is closely related to the Barred Galaxias, Galaxias fuscus.
Author	Bray, D.J. 2022

Yalmy Galaxias, Galaxias sp. nov. 'Yalmy'

References

Lintermans, M., Geyle, H.M., Beatty, S., Brown, C., et al. 2020. Big trouble for little fish: identifying Australian freshwater fishes in imminent risk of extinction. Pacific Conservation Biology 26(4) 365-377 https://doi.org/10.1071/PC19053

Raadik, T. 2019. Galaxias sp. nov. 'Yalmy' . The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T128972900A128972908. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T128972900A128972908.en. Downloaded on 21 January 2020.

Raadik, T.A. 2019. Conservation of endemic and threatened Victorian galaxiid species. Biodiversity Response Planning Projects 118, 119, 120 & 121 2018–2020. The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning 2019. Accessed 10 Feb 2022, https://www.ari.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0036/434979/BRP_factsheet_Conservation-of-endemic-and-threatened-VIC-galaxiids.pdf

Raadik, T.A. & Nicol, M.D. 2015. Post-fire recovery of McDowall’s Galaxias, and additional aquatic fauna, in East Gippsland 2014–2015. Unpublished Client Report for the Gippsland Region. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research , Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Heidelberg, Victoria.

Shelley, J.J., Raadik, T.A. & Lintermans, M. 2021. Summary of the 2019/20 bushfire impacts on freshwater fish and emergency conservation response in south-eastern Australia. NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Project 8.3.6 update report, Brisbane. Accessed 10 Feb 2022, https://www.nespthreatenedspecies.edu.au/media/orffq2sy/8-3-6-201920-bushfire-impacts-on-freshwater-fish-and-emergency-conservation-responses-report_v3.pdf