Regional extinction, rediscovery and rescue of a freshwater fish from a highly modified environment: The need for rapid response

摘要: There are high rates of regional and global extinctions among freshwater species few chances for recovery. We report here on the rediscovery after 30. years a small fish, southern-purple spotted gudgeon (Mogurnda adspersa), once widespread in southern Murray-Darling Basin south-eastern Australia. The was region, Lower Murray, where temperate riverine wetland habitats modified by broad spectrum changes including intensive flow regulation diversions. some doubt whether rediscovered population true remnant or recent introduction, particularly as there translocated nearby artificial habitat. Fortunately, non-government organisation acted to rescue into captivity about 50 specimens remaining habitat dried completely, soon rediscovery, consequence decade-long drought water describe ecology fish site, provide genetic data, both nuclear (50 allozyme loci) mtDNA (1141 base pairs; two genes), show that they were remnants native population. This information allows clear planning future recovery reintroductions, is case study provides strategies, hope, conservation management concerning other habitats. Specifically, it highlights need rapid response conserve threatened species, recognition natural values altered environments, treatment new finds until alternate evidence.