Weatherfish Misgurnus sp. OK is a species endemic to the Ryukyu Islands. In recent years, there has been a sharp decline in its population due to habitat degradation. In 2020, it was designated as one of Okinawa’s endangered species. This prohibits its collection without authorization. Okinawa Churashima Foundation, along with researchers from the University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), and Nago Museum, conducted a survey on the genetic diversity of wild populations of this species. The research showed the genetic diversity in wild populations is extremely low. Researchers found a related species that had been introduced from China and is distributed in Japan’s temperate zones. There is the possibility of this species cross breeding with the weatherfish Misgurnus sp.OK. The weatherfish Misgurnus sp.OK is therefore also facing extinction from a genetic perspective, and requires immediate assistance. At the Okinawa Churashima Foundation, we are conducting research related to captive breeding (reproduction) and off-site conservation.

Authors

Shin-ichiro Oka, Takahide Sasai, Nozomi Hanahara, Kei Miyamoto, Hirozumi Kobayashi, Naofumi Murata, Ken Maeda (Bold letters: Staff members of Okinawa Churashima Foundation)

Title

Genetic traits of the weatherfish Misgurnus sp. OK on the Okinawa Islands, southern Japan

Journal

Fauna Ryukyuana

Link

http://ir.lib.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/bitstream/20.500.12000/47966/1/59-9.pdf