Elasmobranch species with the smallest distribution in the world shows low genetic diversity

Kay Weltz and co-authors have new paper on the Maugean skate (Zearaja maugeana). They report no detectable genetic variation in the gene regions assayed in the mitochondrial genome. Variation in the nuclear genome was also low, with only eight out of 96 microsatellite loci showing any alternate alleles. The species is likely to be uniquely […]

New book about research on elasmobranchs

For those interested in elasmobranch research, there is a new publication coming soon from CRC Press. If you are interested in population genetics, then go to this chapter for the latest information. Ovenden J., Dudgeon C., Feutry P., Feldheim K., Maes G. E. (2019) Genetics and Genomics for Fundamental and Applied Research on Elasmobranchs. In: […]

Genetic analyses show it is easy to mistake species of marlin

A newly published study led by Samuel Williams used genetic analyses to show that the numbers of marlin caught by various fisheries worldwide may be incorrect. Without features such as fins and bills (that are commonly removed to prepare product for market), even the experts have great difficulty in correctly identifying marlin species. This is […]

Andy Moore visits MFL

Andy Moore (Molecular Fisheries Laboratory Associate) visited UQ today for talks with Jenny. Andy is based at the Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics and Sciences in Canberra. He works on a range of topics including quantitative stock assessments, fisheries status reporting, genetics, and recreational fishing surveys. Andy is currently primary investigator on a national […]

Congratulations to Carolina Vargas-Caro – PhD success!

Congratulations to Ms Carolina Vargas-Caro for the successful completion of her PhD at the University of Queensland. Carolina was co-supervised by Mike Bennett of the Shark and Ray lab and Jenny Ovenden of the Molecular Fisheries Laboratory.   Photo: Carolina and Peter Last at CSIRO Fish Collection in April 2014 measuring skate specimens.

Genetic, parasite and otolith study on a northern Australian finfish

Congratulations to Di Barton for leading this huge collaborative study on Grass Emperor genetics, otoliths and parasites. Download the paper here. Front (L to R) Laura Taillebois, Safia Maher, Dave Welch, Di Barton, Christine Dudgeon, Jenny Ovenden Back Richard Saunders, Dave Crook, Thor Saunders, Steve Newman and Jonathan Taylor