A joint study between the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the University of Canberra (UC) has used state-of-the-art genetic technologies to help solve riddles about native fish populations.
According to Research Scientist at DPI, Dean Gilligan, (pictured) the genetic “fingerprinting” project was led by UC with input and support from NSW DPI Fisheries, Diversity Arrays Technology and the NSW Environmental Trust.
“Previously, when we discovered threatened fish populations in unexpected places, it had been difficult to determine whether they had always been there, whether they were a newly established population, or whether they had been introduced,” Dr Gilligan said.
“Fortunately those days are gone, because we can now trace the genetics of fish species to better understand where they come from,” he said.
Dr Gilligan said the recent study applied these CSI-style technologies to recently discovered populations of Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeon on the North Coast, Olive Perchlet in the Lachlan Valley and the Darling River Hardyhead in the Hunter Valley.
“We now know how important each of these populations of fish are and have the information we need to develop conservation programs to protect and recover two seriously threatened species of native fish,” Dr Gilligan said.
