Flinders Ranges Mogurnda, Mogurnda clivicola Allen & Jenkins 1999
Flinders Ranges Mogurnda, Mogurnda clivicola. Source: Rudie H. Kuiter / Aquatic Photographics. License: All rights reserved
Flinders Ranges Mogurnda, Mogurnda clivicola Allen & Jenkins 1999
More Info
Distribution |
Known only from the Flinders Ranges, South Australia, and the Bulloo Basin, Queensland. Inhabits spring-fed, rocky pools of freshwater streams that flow through steep-sided valleys or lowland creeks with muddy substrates. |
Features |
Dorsal fin VIII or IX, I, 9-12 (usually VIII, I, 11); Anal fin I, 9-13 (usually 11-12); Caudal fin (segmented rays) 15, (branched rays) 15; Pectoral fin 15-17 (usually 16); Pelvic fin I, 5; Transverse scales 13; longitudinal scale series 34-39; Predorsal scales 17-21; Gill rakers 2 + 8 = 10; Vertebrae 14-16 + 15-18 = 31-32. Body elongate, laterally compressed, more strongly posteriorly; depth 3.7-5.1 in SL; caudal peduncle relatively elongate. Head bluntly rounded with gently arched snout and nape profile; length 2.8-3.2 in SL. Eye diameter 12.0-15.4 in SL. Lower jaw protruding, mouth oblique, reaching to anterior edge of pupil; jaws with villiform, posteriorly curved teeth, in dense bands, outer row enlarged; palate without teeth. Gill opening extending nearly to below rear margin of eye. Sensory pores absent on head, but well developed system of papillae arranged in multiserial bands. Sexual dimorphism generally inconspicuous. Head and body covered with scales, except lips, snout tip, preorbital region, lower jaw, and chin; those on head, predorsal region, breast, uppermost part of back and bases of caudal and pectoral fins cycloid, remainder finely ctenoid; lateral line absent. Two dorsal fins, first rounded and lower than second, with slender, flexible spines; second dorsal and anal fins similar and opposite. Pectoral fin rounded. Pelvic fins separate, pointed. Caudal fin rounded. |
Size |
To around 13 cm SL. |
Colour |
Brownish, cream to pale tan ventrally, upper surface of head with dark brown speckling; head with three reddish-brown diagonal stripes, and short, backward slanting, diagonal stripe from upper rear corner of eye; middle of body with scattered, moderate sized reddish-brown spots, concentrated mid-laterally; 8-9 faint broad, blue-grey bars or blotches across middle of side, interspersed with narrow tan bars; moderate sized, blackish spot at middle of caudal fin base. First dorsal fin dusky grey with yellowish outer margin and faint yellow stripe near base; second dorsal dusky grey to purplish brown with yellowish margin, 4-5 small red-brown spots at base and several smaller red-brown spots, mainly across middle of fin; anal fin yellowish brown with narrow white outer margin and whitish basal stripe punctuated with several small red-brown spots; caudal fin dusky grey to purplish brown with numerous, small red-brown spots; pelvic and pectoral fins tan to semi-translucent. |
Feeding |
Likely to feed on insect larvae and small crustaceans. |
Biology |
Oviparous, benthic spawners, spawning occurring at temperatures over 20ºC when females deposit between 200 and 800 adhesive eggs onto a hard substrate; males guard and fan eggs until hatching. Larvae hatch after around 7 days at approximately 5 mm TL. |
Etymology |
The specific name clivicola is Latin meaning ‘hill-dweller’ in reference to the Flinders Ranges habitat. |
Species Citation |
Mogurnda clivicola Allen & Jenkins 1999, Aqua, J. Ichthyol. Aquat. Biol. 3(4): 146, fig. 5. Type locality: Nepouie Spring, Flinders Ranges, South Australia. |
Author |
Gomon, M.F. & Bray, D.J. 2018 |
Resources |
Flinders Ranges Mogurnda, Mogurnda clivicola Allen & Jenkins 1999
References
Adams, M., Page, T.J., Hurwood, D.A. & Hughes. J.M. 2013. A molecular assessment of species boundaries and phylogenetic affinities in Mogurnda (Eleotridae): a case study of cryptic biodiversity in the Australian freshwater fishes. Marine and Freshwater Research 64(10): 920-931. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/MF12237
Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Brookvale, NSW: T.F.H. Publications.
Allen, G.R. & Jenkins, A.P. 1999. A review of the Australian freshwater gudgeons, genus Mogurnda (Eleotridae) with descriptions of three new species.aqua, Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology 3(4): 141-156.
Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 394 pp.
Brandle, R. 2001. A biological survey of the Flinders Ranges, South Australia 1997-1999, Biodiversity Survey & Monitoring, National Parks & Wildlife, South Australia, Department for Environment & Heritage.
Fensham R.J, Ponder, W.F. & Fairfax, R.J. 2010. Recovery plan for the community of native species dependent on natural discharge of groundwater from the Great Artesian Basin. Report to Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra. Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management, Brisbane. PDF
Hammer, M.P., Adams, M. & Foster, R. 2012. Update to the catalogue of South Australian freshwater fishes (Petromyzontida & Actinopterygii). Zootaxa 3593: 59–74
Hammer, M.P. & Walker, K.F. 2004. A catalogue of South Australian freshwater fishes, including new records, range extensions and translocations. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 128(2): 85-97
Hammer M., Wedderburn, S. & Van Weenen, J. 2009. Action plan for South Australian freshwater fishes. Adelaide: Native Fish Australia (SA), Department for Environment and Heritage, Government of South Australia. Online
McNeill, D., White, M. & Schmarr, D.W. 2011. Assessment of Endemic Fish (Mogurnda clivicola) and native vegetation at springs in the northern Flinders Ranges. Report to the South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board, Port Augusta. SAARDI Research Report Series No. 518. South Australian Research and Development Institute and South Australian Department for Water. PDF
Morrongiello, J.R., S.J. Beatty, J.C. Bennett, D.A. Crook, D.N.E.N. Ikedife, M.J. Kennard, A. Kerezsy, M. Lintermans, D.G, McNeil, B.J. Pusey & T. Rayner. 2011. Climate Change and its Implications for Australia's Freshwater Fish. Marine and Freshwater Research 62(9): 1082-1098.
Wager, R. & Unmack, P.J. 2000. Fishes of the Lake Eyre Catchment of Central Australia. Brisbane : Department of Primary Industries and Queensland Fisheries Service 88 pp.