Toxotes kimberleyensis, a new species of archerfish (Pisces: Toxotidae) from fresh waters of Western Australia

Abstract

Toxotes kimberleyensis n.sp. is described from 22 specimens, 52.5–126.3 mm SL, collected from freshwater streams in the Kimberley region of northwestern Australia. It was previously identified as Toxotes oligolepis Bleeker, a poorly known species from Indonesia. However, re-examination of Bleeker's type specimen indicates significant differences between the two species relating to the length of the dorsal spines, and lateral-line scale count. A key to the seven species of Toxotes is provided. ALLEN, GERALD R., 2004. Toxotes kimberleyensis, a new species of archerfish (Pisces: Toxotidae) from fresh waters of Western Australia. Records of the Australian Museum 56(2): 225–230. The perciform family Toxotidae is well known for its ability to shoot down insects from overhanging vegetation with a jet of water squirted from the mouth. The family contains a single genus, Toxotes, which ranges from India to Vanuatu, and northern Australia to the Philippines. These fishes are common inhabitants of mangrove-lined estuaries and freshwater streams. Allen (1978, 2001) recognized six species: T. blythi Boulenger, T. chatareus (Hamilton), T. jaculatrix (Pallas), T. lorentzi Weber, T. microlepis Günther, and T. oligolepis Bleeker. The last mentioned species was described from a single specimen from Indonesia with questionable collecting data, but most likely originated from the island of Buru. Although the population from the Kimberley district of Western Australia was previously identified as T. oligolepis, I stated in the 1978 review that " there is a possibility that it may represent a distinct species " due to its greater number of lateral-line scales and deeper body. An opportunity to re-examine Bleeker's holotype of T. oligolepis and directly compare it with specimens from the Western Australia in 2001 revealed additional significant differences. Therefore, it is concluded that the population from Western Australia is a distinct new species, which is described herein.