RANGE EXTENSIONS FOR GALAXIAS ZEBRATUS CASTELNAU, 1861 (GALAXIIDAE), KROM AND GAMTOOS RIVER SYSTEMS, EASTERN CAPE.

Abstract

The distribution of the members of the Southern Hemisphere family Galaxiidae has intrigued biogeographers for some time. They are present in South America, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. There is only one species in Africa, the Cape galaxias (Galaxiaszebratus). Galaxias zebratus had previously been recorded from the Keurbooms River in the eastern Cape to the Olifants River in the western Cape. Recently specimens were collected from the source of the Krom River system and the upper Gamtoos River system, which extends the known distribution of this freshwater fish species eastwards. Alien fish, dams and water abstraction threaten what remains of these important populations of Cape galaxias.