DSC_1197 Manuherikia alpine galaxias (Galaxias aff. paucispondylus 'Manuherikia') Freshwater ecologist Dr Richard Allibone, DoC Ranger Daniel Jack and DoC Freshwater Science Advisor Dr Nicholas Dunn, electro-fishing for a highly disjunct population of Alpine galaxias living in the headwaters of the Manuherikia River. This as yet undescribed species, is absent from the remainder of the Clutha River system, apart from an outlier in the Locky River - which flows into Lake Wakatipu. The nearest conspecifics are found to the north, in the Ahuriri River, part of the Waitaki River system. Upper Manuherikia River *
DSC_1280 Manuherikia alpine galaxias (Galaxias aff. paucispondylus 'Manuherikia') typical habitat. This species is one of 12 species of non-migratory galaxiids disappearing from southern New Zealand at an alarming rate. They are classified Nationally endangered, occupying an area of 17 hectares. This highly disjunct population of Alpine galaxias lives in the headwaters of the Manuherikia River. It is an, as yet, undescribed species, it is absent from the remainder of the Clutha River system, apart from an outlier in the Locky River - which flows into Lake Wakatipu. The nearest conspecifics are found to the north, in the Ahuriri River, part of the Waitaki River system. Upper Manuherikia River *