Confirmation of morphological differences between Anguilla australis australis and A. australis schmidtii

Abstract

A statistical analysis of morphological characters in Anguilla australis australis and A. australis schmidtii was performed for a review of the taxonomic status of A. australis. Twenty‐four external measurements were taken in each of 125 specimens and total numbers of vertebrae of 78 specimens were compared for the two subspecies. Previously published data on total vertebrae, branchostegal rays, and pectoral rays were also statistically analysed. We found a significant difference between the two subspecies in 16 external morphometric characters, total number of vertebrae, and number of branchostegal rays. The analysis revealed that considerable morphological differences exist between these two subspecies of A. australis, despite a recent molecular study supporting a common gene pool. Further examination of morphological, molecular, genetic, and ecological information will be required to resolve the taxonomic status of the two subspecies.

Key words:

• Anguilla australis australis
• A. australis schmidtii
• subspecies
• morphological characters