Australian Brook Lamprey Rediscovered in Queensland, Offering New Conservation Hope
The Australian brook lamprey, previously thought to be extinct in its original range in southern New South Wales since the 1960s, has been rediscovered in Queensland. This discovery was made by Dr. Luke Carpenter-Bundhoo, an aquatic ecologist at Griffith University, during surveys on K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island. The lamprey, known for its eel-like body and sucker-like mouth, was found much further north than previously recorded. This finding contradicts the previous understanding that lampreys were anti-tropical. The rediscovery offers a second chance for conservation efforts to protect this endangered species, which is crucial given the potential impact of rising sea levels on their coastal stream habitats. 
