Status and phylogeny of Milyeringidae (Teleostei: Gobiiformes), withhe description of a new blind cave-fish from Australia, Milyeringa brooksi, n. sp.

Abstract

A phylogeny of Milyeringidae is reported and a new species, Milyeringa brooksi, is described from Cape Range National Park in the North West Cape (Cape Range Peninsula) of Australia. This species is distinguished on the basis of morphological and molecular characters from its only congener Milyeringa veritas. These diagnostic characters are related to a unique pattern of sensory papillae on the body and synapomorphies in three genes (cytochrome c oxidase I, cytochrome b, and NADH dehydrogenase 2). The new species is known only from the southern portion of the North West Cape spanning roughly 50 kilometers of subterranean habitat. This habitat is exceedingly rare and measures to preserve it and its fauna should be taken.