Biogeography of the southern cool-temperate galaxioid fishes: evidence from metazoan macroparasite faunas

• Published in: Journal of biogeography 2000-09, Vol.27 (5), p.1221-1229
• Main Author: McDowall, R. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agnatha. Pisces; Australia; Biological and medical sciences; Biological evolution; coevolution; fishes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Galaxiidae; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; New Zealand; parasites; Retropinnidae; South America; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution
• ISSN: 0305-0270; 1365-2699
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2699.2000.00490.x

Aim This study seeks evidence for coevolution between the galaxioid fish families, Galaxiidae and Retropinnidae, and their macroparasites as a means of adding to our understanding of the biogeography of the fish families. Location These families are characteristic southern cool‐temperate elements in the fish faunas of Australia, New Zealand and southern South America and some southern/sub‐Antarctic islands. Methods The analysis is based on a review of the literature. Results Analysis showed that in each area fish species have parasites that are representative of the general fish parasite faunas of that area, rather than those characteristic of, or specific to, either these galaxioid families or the genera and species that they contain. In many instances the parasites also infect exotic fish species introduced into each area. Main conclusions There is little evidence that parasite faunas have coevolved with the fish hosts. Parasite data therefore provide little support for a vicariance biogeography of galaxioid fishes in the southern cool‐temperate region. Also, the data do not conflict with dispersal hypotheses for that biogeography.