VICNEWS Number 109 August 2014 ANGFA Victoria Inc. is a regional group member of NEW GUINEA FISHES ASSOCIATION INC. Published by ANGFA Victoria Inc. PO Box 298, Chirnside Park Vic. 3116 Visit us at: www.angfavic.org and on Facebook

Unravelling the Galaxias olidus species complex with Tarmo Raadik, our August meeting guest presenter

Photo above: A fast flowing, pristine creek in the upper catch - ment zone of a Victorian high country river. These types of creeks are the natural habitat of upland galaxiids in the Mountain Galaxias (Galaxias olidus) species complex, with some species widespread and others confined to single, small catch - ments. This type of waterfall is often the key reason why the species survive, as their main predators, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout, are unable to move further upstream. Many of the restricted species are also under a high risk of extinction from instream sedimentation following increasingly frequent wild fire. Photo: Tarmo Raadik Photo to right: Galaxias fuscus . Photo: Tarmo Raadik

VICNEWS August 2013 PAGE 1 environments, including fish passage assessment and fish - way monitoring, environmental flow determinations, fauna assessments in degraded, pristine and remote locations, and alien species control. In particular, Tarmo has a long involvement with the compilation and management of aquatic fauna survey data, undertaking the first compilation of Victorian data in 1986, which he then continued while at the Department of Ichthyology, Museum Victoria, and later when he joined the Arthur Rylah Institute. This data compilation became the basis the new Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA). Tarmo holds the roles of Taxon Manager and Data Expert Reviewer for Aquatic Fauna (fish, freshwater decapod crus - tacea and molluscs) for the VBA, and is relied upon by ARI staff and external clients for his knowledge of current tax - onomy and historical and contemporary aquatic fauna dis - tributions. Tarmo has also worked extensively in the area of threatened fauna management, particularly on freshwater and estuarine fish and freshwater decapod species. These projects incorporate all areas of conservation management, from verifying the status of declining taxa (population abundance, distribution), defining the issues/threats and potential management actions, to undertaking specific Tarmo Raadik, Senior Research Scientist - Arthur Rylah Institute recovery actions. for Environmental Research, Department of Environment and Tarmo has written over 80 scientific publications Primary Industries, Victoria & Research Associate, Department of and recently completed a PhD on the systematic revision of Ichthyology, Museum Victoria, Melbourne. a freshwater native fish species complex in south-eastern Photographer: unknown Australia. Tarmo took too long to finish his PhD (11 years!). Tarmo is an experienced aquatic biologist and tax - But now that he has resurfaced and feels human again he onomist with 25 years’ experience in the management and will present an overview of this important work, and as a biological research of aquatic fauna. perfect adjunct, also discuss conservation management of He is well respected for his extensive knowledge Barred Galaxias and many of his new species of Galaxias on alien and native aquatic fauna distribution in south-east - which are on the edge of extinction. ern Australia and specialist skills in freshwater and estuar - ine aquatic fauna community sampling, taxonomy, biology, Title of presentation: conservation, monitoring, and alien species, with emphasis Unravelling the mountain galaxias ( Galaxias on fish, decapod crustaceans and bivalve molluscs. olidus ) species complex and 20 years of conservation man - He has sampled extensively in Victoria, and more agement of upland galaxiids - oh why did I even start? broadly in south-eastern Australia, and planned and con - ducted many large and small ecological research, assess - ment and monitoring projects in both riverine and lentic A new species of Galaxias from the Dargo River catchment Photo: Tarmo Raadik

VICNEWS August 2013 PAGE 2 President’s Report Contents August 2014

Pgs. 1-2 Tarmo Raadik on Galaxia olidus Welcome to another great edition Pg. 3 President’s Report of Vic News. Pg. 3 Letter from the editor Looking back over the last nine months we have had many highlights Pg. 4 Glenn Briggs on Rhadinocentrus in particular the biannual national ornatus ANGFA convention that we hosted Pgs. 5 -7 The Amazon Waterlily Pavillion here in Victoria last October. The con - Pgs. 8 -9 Euastacus yarraensis The Yarra River vention was well attended, and as you will remember featured a range Spiny Crayfish of high caliber speakers both national and international. Pg. 9 Upcoming field trips in Victoria Each and every meeting we have held this finan - Pg. 10 ANGFA Vic at the EDAS fish fair cial year has been memorable. We have had great presen - Pg. 10 ANGFA Vic on Facebook tations from well-known speakers from Victoria; Dianne Bray from the Victorian Museum and Kathryn Hassle and Pgs. 11-12 Reminder for the upcoming combined the Kimberley Guys from Melbourne University. We have clubs field trip to also had great speakers from interstate; Glynn Aland on Pg 13 Businesses who support ANGFA Vic his travels to the Torres Strait and Keith Martin from Exotic Aquatic- Caulfield Cairns on discovering new fishes from that area. We continue this rich vein of speakers in our Pg. 14 ANGFA VIC Key Contacts August meeting and are very proud to finally present Pg. 15 ANGFA subscription details Tarmo Raadik speaking on “unraveling the Galaxias Pg. 15 Businesses that support ANGFA VIC olidus complex”, the subject of his last 11 years work. I would like to thank those wonderful sponsors who have supported us through out the last financial Letter from the editor year, Amazing Amazon, Aqua green, Aquariums by Design, Coburg Aquarium, Subscape Aquarium, Upmarket Aquarium and Exotic Aquatic. If you ever need anything for your tank or your fish please go and support one of In this edition of VICNews we these shops and let them know you are an Angfa mem - announce that Tarmo Raadik, who has ber. finally finished his thesis, is actually I would also like to thank those members who going to speak at our August meeting. have very kindly donated fish to the club. We have run a We have been trying to get him to mini auction of rare and hard to get Aussie natives almost speak for years but he has been too every meeting raising valuable funds for the club. Thank busy to commit. This is very exciting you to Glenn Briggs, Dave Wilson, Phil Littlejohn, Gary and if anyone has seen Tarmo speak in Moores, Doug McColl, Bruce Hansen and Steve and the past they will know how thorough, Aimee Brooks. detailed and extremely informative his presentations are. I would now like to thank our excellent commit - This is a not-to-be-missed talk from one of our most qual - tee and helpers, who have all contributed to running this ified fish scientists. club over the last financial year. We have all been work - As a gentle segway to our combined clubs field ing hard to bring you a great range of speakers with a trip to Coffs Harbour in October 2014, a known location great range of topics. Thank you, in no particular order, of Rhadinocentrus ornatus, Glenn Briggs will give the Gary Moores, John Cousins, John Lenagan, Greg Martin, pre-Tarmo mini talk on keeping these wondeful fish. Glenn Briggs, Lyndon Giles, Paul Byham, Tony Tucceri, There is an article in this edition on the incredi - Eddie Tootle, Neil Armstrong, Ken Smales and Ron ble Victoria amazonica waterlily pavillion at the Adelaide Bowman. Of course this would not be possible without Botanic Garden. For anyone interested in aquatic plants the support of their families who allow them to put so or even blissfully humid hot houses, I can recommend much energy into this club. visiting this unique display. By the way, there are Lastly, our ANGFA Vic facebook page has been Rainbowfish kept in the waterlily pond. completely rejuvenated by Paul Byham with images from The charismatic Euastacus yarraensis , the Yarra John Lenagan. Checkout the screenshot sample on page River Spiny Crayfish, gets an article, both to promote this 10 of this edition of VICNews. type of animal as an interesting aquarium subject, and to Unfortunately I will not be at the meeting, how - illustrate what is likely to be seen on a field trip we are ever I do hope that you come along and enjoy your self planning to run as soon as the creeks are safe enough to and catch up with other like-minded people and friends. dipnet in. Cheers Kwai. Greg Martin

VICNEWS August 2014 PAGE 3 Our August meeting mini talk from Glenn Briggs Keeping and collecting Rhadinocentrus ornatus

The beautiful Ornate Rainbow Rhadinocentrus Photo above: This stunning Rhadinocentrus ornatus is from ornatus (aka Rhad) is the subject of our August meeting Carland Creek, at the southern tip of Tin Can Bay, SE mini-talk. Queensland. Photo: Neil Armstrong In Glenn’s presentation he’ll talk about keeping Ornate Rainbowfish with some examples of the geograph - ic variations which can be found in the wild. Glenn will also show us various typical Rhadinocentrus ornatus Photo below: This lagoon on Bribie Island is an example of habitats, no doubt with “stories from the field”. typical Rhadinocentrus habitat . Photo: Glenn Briggs

VICNEWS August 2014 PAGE 4 The Amazon Waterlily Pavillion Adelaide Botanic Garden

The new Waterlily Pavillion is built on the site of the original Victoria House and features an elegant, energy efficiant design. By Greg Martin

For anyone travelling to gorgeous Adelaide, a visit to the Adelaide Botanic Garden is a must; specifically to see the Amazon Waterlily Pavillion.

In 1868 the second director of the Botanic Garden, Dr Richard Schomburgk, built a glasshouse (see photo below) to house what was back then one of the first cultivated displays in the world of this amazing waterlily. When the waterlily first flowered, nearly a 5th of Adelaide’s population came out to see it.

When you enter the glasshouse via one of the two heat-trapping entrance “foyers” with their automatic double doors, you are met with a wall of humidity and heat just as you would feel in tropical South America. In the wild Victoria amazonica grows in the quiet, blood-warm backwaters of tropical South America. Its leaves, under ideal conditions, can grow to 3 metres across and it has a most extraordinary method of achiev - ing cross-pollination by the following process: In the early evening at about 5pm the flower unfurls, releasing a heady aroma of tuberose, banana and ripe pineapple. This is to attract the target pollinating Beetles. By about 8pm the beetles start to arrive, entering The first glasshouse, built in 1868, at Adelaide Botanic Garden the flower to feed on nectar and petals, meet other to display this unique waterlily. Photographer: unknown Continued on page 6.. .

VICNEWS August 2014 PAGE 5 Photo above: The concrete pond housing the Victoria amazonica waterlily plant. It is relatively shallow at about 50cm deep and has two powerful metal halide lights overhead to suppliment natural sunlight in the winter months. This single plant had 17 leaves! Photo below: This waterlily’s leaves are truly gigantic; several were around 1 metre accross. One can see an unopenned flower at the centre right of the photo. To my delight there were Rainbowfish in the pond, perhaps Blue-eyes, although I couldn’t quite be sure which species. Photos: Greg Martin Inset photo below right: Old postcard from Bonn showing baby on waterlily leaf.

Continued on page 7... .

VICNEWS August 2014 PAGE 6 This photo shows three fresh leaves with the most recently unfurled leaf situated middle right. The bright green leaf in the foreground is still expanding. Photo: Greg Martin

This stunning Victoria amazonica flower was photographed at night at Adelaide Botanic Garden. Photo: Bilby

The photos above and below show the unusual underside of beetles and ultimately mate. the Victoria amazonica leaf (pad). The spikes are perhaps to By 10pm the temperature outside the flower is dissuade predation from below by herbivorous fish. The Leaf is about 25deg but inside the flower it is up to 35deg- per - very thick and spongy, giving tremendous boyancy; enough to fect for beetles to mate! (famously) support a child or small adult. Photos: Greg Martin At 6am the flower closes trapping the beetles inside- mass mating inside the flower ensues. Pollen, sup - plied by many anthers, rubs off onto the beetles. At 5pm the flower opens and the beetles fly off to repeat the process in another waterlily flower. Thus cross-pollination occurs.

The Blue Nile Waterlily Nymphaea caerulea , growing here with the Victoria amazonica waterlily, was sacred to the ancient Egyptians. They believed that in the beginning darkness ruled the world until the lily rose from the abyss. When the flower opened its petals revealed a young sun god sitting in its golden heart who banished the darkness and allowed life to begin. Photo: Greg Martin

VICNEWS August 2014 PAGE 7 Euastacus yarraensis The Yarra River Spiny Crayfish

This beautiful Yarra River Spiny Crayfish was a real character and a most intriguing aquarium inhabitant. If you look at these pictures closely you can see Temnocephalid flat worms on the claws. Temnocephalids live, without harming their crustacean host, attached to the outside of their body. Interestingly, they are very mobile moving with a leech-like looping motion. Temnocephalid eggs are enclosed in a leathery capsule then attached to the surface of the host by a short stalk. Young Temnocephalid flat worms hatch as miniature forms of the adults. Photos: John Lenagan My introduction to the Yarra River Spiny Crayfish happened at our most recent ANGFA convention in 2013. Phil Littlejohn had sourced a fine speciment for us to dis - play as part of our collection of local aquatic fishes and invertebrate displays, and we housed him in a tank with some enormous Southern Pygmy Perch Nannoperca aus - tralis , some of the largest examples we had seen. Knowing that there is always a risk of predation for small fish from any freshwater crayfish, we thought that fish of this size would be safe. Shortly after being placed in the aquarium with his arms flaying about wildly, he took no time at all to grab one of those beautiful Pygmy Perch and then proceeded to eat the front half clean off. He killed at least one other before we were able to intervene ensuring that the remaining fish were safe from his enthu - I wanted to understand more about these amaz - siastic predation. Bold. ing animals. so, after the convention finished, I took him Over the next two days of the convention we home and kept him in a small aquarium decorated with a watched him systematically and effortlessly bulldoze the piece of moss covered wood and an assortment of river rocks in his aquarium untill they were just the way he rocks. wanted them. Continued on page 9... .

VICNEWS August 2014 PAGE 8 Photo above: The Yarra River, 2kms downstream of Warburton. This habitat is also home to Kershaws Crayfish Euastacus kershawi . Photo below: Hoddles Creek, 1km North of the Warburton Highway. Photos: Glenn Briggs Upcoming field trips. Dates will be announced on ANGFA vic’s Facebook page 1. Mid winter “dry” field trip to Melbourne Museum - Date to be announced.

2. Spring field trip to the Upper Yarra Catchment look - ing for Euastacus yarraensis, Euastacus kershawi , various Galaxiids, Blackfish and more. date to be announced as we are waiting for the flood waters to receed.

3. The combined clubs field trip to Coffs Harbour on 17th -19th October 2014 is one not to be missed; see Keeping him was very easy as he fed exclusively on earthworms which he was able to detect moments reminder article on the next two pages. after they were placed in the water. As soon as sensed the presence of a worm he would race over and wave his 4. There will be a trip to Long Swamp, Western arms around until he was able to pinpoint exactly where Victoria , over the Melbourne cup weekend- we will keep the worms had lodged. Then he would quickly and care - you posted regarding details. fully feed the worm into his mouthparts. For more information and details contact: A splendid animal and an interesting aquarium subject. See the upcoming field trips listed to the right for Greg Martin on 0407 094 313 or a chance to see these animals in the wild. Greg Martin John Lenagan on 0413 730 414

VICNEWS August 2014 PAGE 9 ANGFA Vic at The EDAS fish fair

On Saturday 19th July 2014, EDAS hosted their bi-annual fish fair in Nunawading. ANGFA Vic was pres - ent with a table stacked with donated second hand and new aquarium related items for sale. Bargains were snapped up and we raised important funds for the club.

There were many boxes of fishes for sale! Wandering around the tables I saw quite a few Australian Natives for sale, even Rainbowfish eggs! I was amazed to see a rare L007 Catfish for sale for $600. Photo: Greg Martin

ANGFA Victoria on Facebook

For the lucky people whose lives are enriched by being on Facebook, ANGFA Vic has a brand-spanking John Lenagan mans the table and the till. People had a keen new page, which is being posted into on a regular basis eye for a bargain on the day with some ripper deals available by all sorts of interesting people. There is already some on the day. Photo: Greg Martin great content and more and more is posted each day.

It is easy to find; once on Facebook search for ANGFA Vic and it will pop up. No spammers please.

All future event updates like field trips will be posted on the ANGFA Vic page so keep “in the loop”.

Most traders had very clearly marked and beautifully pre - sented displays like this one. Photo: Greg Martin

This is a screenshot of how the new-look ANGFA Vic Face - Glenn Briggs explains to a customer just how important it is book page looks. It is easy to navigate and easy to post into, to keep Mogurndas covered in the period shortly after their and I believe a great tool for last minute updates to our introduction to the aquarium. Photo: Greg Martin members. Screenshot: John Lenagan

VICNEWS August 2014 PAGE 10 Reminder of the upcoming combined clubs field trip: Coffs Harbour 17-19th October 2014

Never Never River. Photo: John Lenagan Fish that we will target include Melanotaenia duboulayi Accommodation (Crimson Spotted Rainbowfish), Pseudomugil signifer We will base our trip out of Holiday Park (Pacific Blue-eye) and Rhadinocentrus ornatus (Ornate 1 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour (02) 6648 4888 or 1800 Rainbowfish). Riffle Shrimp are also on the list of target 200 555. Web: www.coffscoastholidayparks.com.au species. There will be the normal by-catch of gudgeons, They have a large variety of cabins, plus camping. They gobies, shrimps, and yabbies. have been told to expect 20 bookings. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BOOKING AND PAYING The proposed program is: FOR YOUR OWN ACCOMMODATION. MENTION ANGFA • Friday: assemble in Coffs Harbour. TO BE LOCATED WITH EVERYONE ELSE. BOOK o Friday evening – an informal get together at a QUICKLY AS ACCOMMODATION WILL BOOK OUT FAST. nearby pub for dinner. • Saturday: Fish south and west of Coffs Bring: o Morning – Fish south of Coffs. Departure Time Survey sheets, pens and pencils, wading boots or waders, 8.30am. dip nets, folding bait traps, bait or burley for the traps, o Lunch in a local pub (possibly Sawtell). buckets (with lids), an esky or styrofoam box to put the o Afternoon – Fish west of Coffs fish in, plastic bags for the fish, rubber bands, non - iodised o Saturday evening – a swap meet and auction in salt (sea salt, rock salt, etc), drinking water, sunscreen, fish the Camp Kitchen, followed by dinner in a local and plant identification books, and water test kits if you restaurant. have them (hardness, total hardness, pH, dissolved oxygen, • Sunday: Fish north of Coffs Harbour. salinity, etc). Cameras and a field tank are an advantage. o Departure Time 8.30am.

VICNEWS August 2014 PAGE 11 Regulations: Remember that we are a conservation organisation; we are not there to rape and pillage. Take only as much as you need to breed or photograph. You need a fishing licence to fish in NSW fresh water. You can find information on the licence and can purchase one online here: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/licence-fee

You can find the NSW bag and size limits here: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/regulations/fw/fw- bag-and-size

You can find the NSW fishing equipment regulations here: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/regulations

Coordinator: To nominate for the field trip or to gain further informa - tion, please contact your Field Trip Coordinators:

Greg Martin 0407 094 313

John Lenagan 0413 730 414

Kwai Chang kum 0430 434 488

Photo to right: crossing. Photo: John Lenagan Photos below: some of the Fishes, Reptiles and Crustaceans that have been found on previous field trips to this area. Photos: John Lenagan

VICNEWS August 2014 PAGE 12 Businesses who support ANGFA Victoria Exotic Aquatic

Exotic Aquatic These two reviews sum up what Exotic Aquatic is 300a Neerim Road all about: Carnegie, VIC. 3163 Ph: (03) 9079 3899 www.exoticaquatic.com.au “If you're looking for something unique, chances are visit Exotic Aquatic on Facebook Adrian has it, or can get it. Adrian is one of the most helpful and knowledgeable aquarium store owners any - where. Since moving across the road from the old store, EA has been able to expand their range of goods and display tanks, which are always pristine. They stock rare plants, amazing panda shrimp and the best range of ADA (Aqua Design Amano) gear. There is a DIY Sandpit for playing with rock pre-purchase and Aqua-scaping demo nights. Prices are as good as online, but with 1000% better service.”

“Exotic Aquatic is an excellent compact aquarium shop that stocks a wide variety of nano Aqua-scaping plants, aquatic plants and equipment. There is a variety of smaller Nano fish and shrimps which varies each time you visit, the store is always changing and has a great range of dis - plays and state of the art equipment, a great way to keep up to date with what they have, is through EA’s Facebook page.”

VICNEWS June 2013 PAGE 13 Club Meeting Details and the ANGFA Vic key contacts ANGFA VIC Trade Table

General Meetings: Postal Mail to: ANGFA Victoria’s meeting are held on the first Friday ANGFA Victoria of every second month starting the year in Feb, at The P.O. Box 298 Chirnside Park, Victoria. 3116. Field Naturalists Club of Victoria which is situated at 1 ANGFA National Website: www.angfa.org.au Gardenia Street Blackburn. (Melways map 47 K11). Doors open at 7:30 pm. Meetings start at 8.15 pm sharp ANGFA Vic Website: www.angfavic.org and aim to be finished by 10pm, followed by supper. checkout ANGFA vic on Facebook . President : Upcoming Meeting Dates: Kwai Chang Kum Friday 1st August 2014 Phone: 0430 434 488 Friday 3rd October 2014

ANGFA Vic Committee Meetings: Venues: To be announced. Contact Kwai Chang Kum if you would like to be further involved ( 0430 434 488).

Trading Table Vice President: Any financial ANGFA member who has fish, plants or Gary Moores live food that they would like to sell is invited to bring email: [email protected] their goods to the trade table. All items being presented for sale must be clearly marked: fish showing species Secretary : name and location if applicable and plants identified by John cousins [email protected] species. Goods will be accepted prior to 7.45pm and the Trading Table will operate between 7.45 and 8.15pm. New items now available on the Trade Table from the ‘ANGFA SHOP’ include Airline, Valves, Nets, Fishfood, Treasurer : Fish Bags, various “Live Foods” with “Cheat Sheets” and John Lenagan more. 0413 730 414

Other Fish Groups in VIC VICNews: Greg Martin EDAS 0407 094 313 Meets Fourth Friday of the month. [email protected] Contact: John Reeves (03) 5429 1516.

EDAS Plant Study Group Meets Second Friday of the month (at various mem - bers” homes). Contact: Eddie Tootell (03) 9337 6435 (a.h.) Membership Oficer: Glenn Briggs Aquarium Society of Victoria (AS of V) 0408 771 544 Meets Last Thursday of the month. Contact: Daryl Maddock (03) 9874 1850

Marine Aquarium Society of Victoria Contact: MASOV (03) 9830 6073.

Victorian Cichlid Society Angfa VIC Website Meets First Wednesday of the month. Lyndon Giles Contact: Graham Rowe (03) 9560 7472. [email protected]

VICNEWS August 2014 PAGE 14 Businesses who support Join ANGFA VIC now!!! ANGFA Victoria

The businesses listed below actively promote Australian To join ANGFA Victoria or to renew your member - Native Fishes by making native fishes available in the ship online, follow these 4 easy steps : aquarium trade. ANGFA suggests that members show their appreciation by 1. Go to www.angfavic.org supporting these businesses. 2. Click on the membership page

3. Select membership renewal for ANGFA VIC only or Amazing Amazon ANGFA VIC and ANGFA National, then ... Paul and Ben 365 Springvale Road Glen Waverley 4. Click the Paypal icon to pay with Paypal, your Debit Card or your Credit Card. Phone: 9545 0000 www.amazingamazon.com.au If you want to use snail mail and pay by cheque, print out the form below, fill out your details and send it to: ANGFA Victoria, P.O.Box 298, Chirnside Park. Vic. 3116 Aquagreen Dave Wilson Phone: (08) 8983 1483 [email protected] Join ANGFA Victoria now and enjoy benefits including regular meetings, VicNews and buyer Aquariums By Design discounts. Greg Martin To the Treasurer, ANGFA Victoria , Please accept Phone: 0407 094 313 my application for membership to ANGFA [email protected] Victoria. (Please print) Coburg Aquarium Greg Kirby NAME ...... Phone: (03) 9354 5843 ...... 232-236 Bell Street, Coburg

ADDRESS ...... www.coburgaquarium.com.au

...... Exotic Aquatic Adrian ...... 300a Neerim Road, Carnegie Postcode ...... Phone: (03) 9079 3899 www.exoticaquatic.com.au Phone Bus ......

A/H: ...... Subscape Aquarium Justin & Kim 1. I enclose Victorian Membership of $20.00 Phone: (03) 9427 0050 2. I enclose subscription to ANGFA National (4 310/312 Victoria Street, Richmond copies of Fishes of Sahul per year including Newsletter ANGFA News – $45.00) plus mem - Upmarket Aquarium bership to ANGFA Victoria ($20.00). Total Greg Kirby $65.00 Phone: (03) 9600 9051 Forward application and cheque to: ANGFA 442 Queen Street Melbourne Victoria, P.O.Box 298, Chirnside Park. Vic. 3116.

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