Meristic features and muscle protein characteristics of populations of galaxiid fishes

Abstract

Samples from six populations of galaxiid fishes collected within and adjacent to the Australian Capital Territory were compared in terms of meristic features and characteristics of their water-soluble skeletal muscle protein as examined by cellulose acetate electrophoresis and the Ouchterloney method of immunology. Statistically significant differences were found to exist between the number of vertebrae and numbers of fin rays in dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins. There were no appreciable differences in muscle proteins between groups.