AN ACCESSORY LATERAL-LINE IN SOME NEW-ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN GALAXIIDS (TELEOSTEI, GALAXIIDAE)

Many New Zealand and Australian galaxiids have bilateral accessory lat eral lines along the dorso-lateral trunk chat consist of widely spaced neuromasts from head to dorsal fin. Dietary studies show that many sp ecies feed extensively on terrestrial foods. Some of them are also noc turnally active. The accessory lateral line may assist these fish in l ocating terrestrial foods at the surface of the water, and perhaps in avoiding predators. Species that lack the accessory lateral line are p rincipally diurnal, mid-water, shoaling species, or small, slender, cr yptic, riffle-dwellers.