In a quest that combined conservation, community spirit, and scientific curiosity, volunteers from OzFish Unlimited joined forces with Richmond Landcare to seek out the prehistoric lungfish, a creature unseen in the area for millions of years, in northern New South Wales.
This endangered native species, known for its distinct evolutionary characteristics, has been confined to small sections of South East Queensland. However, following the 2022 floods that wreaked havoc on the Tuntable Creek ecosystem, a surprising sighting was reported by a local resident. His detailed description of a lungfish in the waterway was corroborated by another local, prompting members of the Richmond Landcare group to embark on an investigation.
OzFish, Australia’s renowned fishing conservation charity, was enlisted by Richmond Landcare to conduct eDNA testing, an innovative method aimed at scientifically verifying the presence of lungfish in the region after the floods. Lucas Kas, Senior Project Officer at OzFish, explained the procedure’s significance in unraveling the mysteries of animal presence through environmental DNA traces.
Just as forensic experts analyze a crime scene for clues, eDNA testing allows scientists to detect the presence of animals through their residual biological materials. Kas emphasized that this method is eco-friendly and robust, leaving minimal environmental impact compared to other monitoring techniques.
Kas elaborated, “As an animal moves through the environment, it leaves all these traces – skin flakes, mucus, all the other bodily secretions. So all we have to do is come down, take a sample of the water, preserve it, send it off to the lab and then they can do some wizardry on it and basically spit back to us if there’s a presence or absence of Australian lungfish in the creek.”
The significance of this potential lungfish sighting is immense. Only previously observed in two rivers in South East Queensland, their distribution was expanded through a breed-out program. Yet, never before in the history of New South Wales had these ancient living fossils been identified.
Australian lungfish are living testaments to time, capable of living up to an astonishing 117 years. They possess unique features, including enamel-coated teeth and limb-like fins. These remarkable creatures, reminiscent of prehistoric times, hold a critical place in understanding the evolutionary stages of land animals.
Recent eDNA test results have unveiled that while the sampled areas showed no trace of lungfish, this doesn’t conclusively negate their presence in other parts of the waterways. The study, however, successfully detected an array of other aquatic species, including longfin eel, rainbowfish, Australian bass, carp, and Australian smelt.
Though the lungfish remained elusive in this project, the endeavor fostered a sense of camaraderie within the community, nurturing a deeper connection to and comprehension of the local environment. Both Richmond and Tuntable Landcare groups have actively participated in Lismore City Council’s Urban Landcare Program, a testament to their commitment to enhancing regional biodiversity.
The success of this project was made possible by the collaboration between OzFish and Landcare NSW, facilitated by OzFish’s Driving Fish Habitat Action partnership. The endeavor received funding support from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts and BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing. While the ancient lungfish might have remained hidden on this occasion, the project’s impact resonates far beyond as a testament to the enduring curiosity, dedication, and unity of conservationists and community members alike.
