Philypnodon grandiceps

Flathead gudgeon
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Eleotridae
Genus: Philypnodon
Species: P. grandiceps
Binomial name
Philypnodon grandiceps
J. L. G. Krefft

The flathead gudgeon (Philypnodon grandiceps) is a species of sleeper goby endemic to eastern Australia.[1]

Taxonomy

Gerard Krefft described the flathead gudgeon in 1864 as Eleotris grandiceps, recording it from the Upper Hawkesbury River and its tributaries, and freshwater lagoons near Richmond, Eastern Creek, and Bronte.[2] Alternate names include big-headed gudgeon, bull head, bull-headed gudgeon, collundera, and Yarra gudgeon.[3]

Description

The flathead gudgeon generally grows to about 8 cm (3.2 in) in length, though large individuals up to 11 or 12 cm (4.5 in) have been recorded.[3] It has a large, flattened head and large mouth, which extends back past the eyes, and two short dorsal fins. The upperparts can be various shades of grey, brown, black, or yellowish, with yellowish underparts. The flathead gudgeon can be distinguished from the dwarf flathead gudgeon (Philypnodon macrostomus) by barred lines on its flanks, larger size (the latter species only reaching 5 cm (2 in) long), and wide gill openings.[4]

Distribution and habitat

The flathead gudgeon is found in estuaries and freshwater rivers from just north of the Fitzroy River in central Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria to the Gawler River in South Australia, as well as some parts of northern Tasmania.[5]

Feeding

Carnovorous, the flathead gudgeon preys upon small fish, tadpoles, and aquatic arthropods.[4] It, in turn, has been recorded as prey of the yellow-billed spoonbill.[6]

Breeding

The female lays 500–1000 elongated eggs on a hard surface in spring, which are watched over afterwards by the male.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2016). "Philypnodon grandiceps" in FishBase. January 2016 version.
  2. ↑ Krefft, Gerard (1864). "Notes on Australian freshwater fishes, and descriptions of four new species". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London: 182–84.
  3. 1 2 McGrouther, Mark (14 March 2013). "Flathead Gudgeon". Nature Culture Discover. Australian Museum. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 Bray, Dianne J. (2011). "Flathead Gudgeon, Philypnodon gradiceps Krefft 1864". Fishes of Australia. Museum Victoria. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  5. ↑ Thacker, Christine E.; Unmack, Peter J.; Matsui, Lauren; Duong Phil; Huang, Eric (2008). "Phylogeography of Philypnodon species (Teleostei: Eleotridae) across south-eastern Australia: testing patterns of connectivity across drainage divides and among coastal rivers" (PDF). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 95: 175–92. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.2008.01000.x.
  6. ↑ Vestjens, W. J. M. (1975). "Feeding behaviour of Spoonbills at Lake Cowal, NSW". Emu 75 (3): 132. doi:10.1071/MU9750132.
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