SF has world’s oldest aquarium fish. Here’s how scientists found out her age—accurately
The world’s oldest living aquarium fish, Methuselah, is housed at the Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco’s California Academy of Sciences. Methuselah is an Australian lungfish, estimated to be 92 years old based on DNA analysis by Dr. Ben Mayne and Dr. David Roberts, with an upper age estimate of 101 years. Previously thought to be 84, Methuselah has been at the aquarium since 1938, outlasting over 200 other fish from Australia and Fiji brought with her. Known for her friendly personality and love of belly rubs, Methuselah might also be celebrating her centennial this year, coinciding with the aquarium’s 100th anniversary.
Methuselah, an Australian lungfish at San Francisco’s Steinhart Aquarium, had her age scientifically estimated for the first time, thanks to a DNA analysis conducted by Drs. Ben Mayne and David Roberts. While Methuselah arrived at the aquarium in the 1930s, her exact age was previously unknown. Her estimated age of 92, with a possible maximum of 101, highlights her role as a species ambassador, educating visitors and aiding global biodiversity research. The age study used a new, non-invasive DNA method, sampling 30 other lungfish across U.S. and Australian institutions to improve the DNA-based age clock for the species.
Dr. David Roberts emphasized that the DNA-based age study of Methuselah, an Australian lungfish at San Francisco’s Steinhart Aquarium, could be applied to other vertebrates, enhancing conservation management efforts. Accurate age data on species like Methuselah helps researchers understand their survival and reproductive potential in the wild, which is essential for population modeling and conservation planning. Methuselah, the oldest known lungfish, provides a unique opportunity to study maximum species longevity in ideal conditions, illustrating the valuable role of animal care institutions like the California Academy of Sciences in advancing scientific knowledge and supporting species conservation. The researchers plan to publish their full findings later this year. Learn more by reading Gabe Agcaoili’s article from the Bay City News https://localnewsmatters.org/2023/09/21/sf-has-worlds-oldest-aquarium-fish-heres-how-scientists-find-out-her-age-accurately/