Distribution and Taxonomy of Fishes in the Mackenzie Drainage of British Columbia

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Abstract
New and previously published records are listed for 28 spp. of freshwater fishes in tributaries of the Mackenzie River in northern British Columbia. Distribution patterns are discussed for all spp. reaching the continental divide at the Peace River headwaters; some are restricted to one or other side, but 17 spp. are common to the Peace and Fraser Rivers, suggesting that mountain ranges have served as a check but not as an insurmountable obstacle to post-glacial expansion. Five spp. indigenous to the Pacific slope[long dash]Catostomus macrocheilus, Richardsonius balteatus, Ptychocheilus oregonense, Mylocheilus caurinum, and Cottus asper[long dash]have evidently penetrated to the Peace River in comparatively recent times. Three spp.[long dash]the flathead chub Platygobio gracilis, the trout-perch Percopsis omiscomaycus, and the spoonhead sculpin Cottus ricei[long dash]have not previously been recorded from the province. Evidence is presented that subspecific distinctions are invalid in Couesius plumbeus and Lota lota. Coregonus coulteri and Hybognathus hankinsoni are reported for the first time from the Mackenzie drainage.