Family RETROPINNIDAE

Retropinnidae

© Copyright Ros Poole.

Retropinna tasmanica holotype

© Copyright A.R. McCulloch 1920

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Introduction

The family Retropinnidae is now considered to include the smelts (Retropinnidae) and southern graylings (formerly Prototroctidae) (Nelson 1994; Johnson & Patterson 1996). Currently, three genera and six species are recognised, with two genera and three species recorded from Australian waters.

Smelts and graylings feed on aquatic insects and their larvae, as well as crustaceans and plants. They are primarily brackish and freshwater inhabitants, found in lowland rivers, inland rivers and lakes and coastal seas. Smelts are generally less than 10 cm in length, although specimens have been recorded to 15 cm. The Australian grayling is diadromous, breeding in fresh water. The fry are swept down to the sea where they spend about six months before returning permanently to their rivers (Berra 1982). With an adipose fin, short-based dorsal and posterior ventrals, the southern graylings are most similar to the southern smelt Retropinna. Maximum size is 30 cm.

McDowall (1979) reviewed and illustrated the New Zealand smelts, recognising four species in two genera from New Zealand, the Chatham Islands and south-eastern Australia (two species). Hammer et al. (2007) presented evidence that the Retropinna in Australia actually consists of five cryptic species. The southern graylings were reviewed by McDowall (1976), who recognised two species in a single genus from Australia and New Zealand. The New Zealand species has not been seen since the 1920s and is presumed to be extinct.

General References

Berra, T.M. 1982. Life history of the Australian grayling, Prototroctes maraena (Salmoniformes, Prototroctidae) in the Tambo River, Victoria. Copeia 1982(4): 795-805 figs 1-4

Hammer, M.P., Adams, M., Unmack, P.J. & Walker, K. 2007. A rethink on Retropinna: conservation implications of new taxa and significant genetic sub-structure in Australian smelts (Pisces : Retropinnidae). Marine and Freshwater Research 58(4): 327–341

Johnson, G.D. & Patterson, C. 1996. Relationships of lower euteleostean fishes. pp. 251-332 in Stiassny, M.L.J., Parenti, L.R. & Johnson, G.D. (eds). Interrelationships of Fishes. San Diego : Academic Press 496 pp.

McCulloch, A.R. 1920. Studies in Australian fishes, No. 6. Records of the Australian Museum 13(2): 41-71 figs 1-3 pls 10-14 [pl. 11]

McDowall, R.M. 1976. Fishes of the family Prototroctidae (Salmoniformes). Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 27(4): 641-659 figs 1-6

McDowall, R.M. 1979. Fishes of the family Retropinnidae (Pisces : Salmoniformes): A taxonomic revision and synopsis. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 9(1): 85-121 figs 1-11

McDowall, R.M. & Burridge, C.P. 2011. Osteology and relationships of the southern freshwater lower euteleostean fishes. Zoosystematics and Evolution 87(1): 7–185 [Date published 21 March 2011]

Nelson, J.S. 1994. Fishes of the World. New York : John Wiley & Sons 600 pp.

Common Name References

Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 394 pp. [89] (Southern Graylings, Southern Smelts)

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