YouTube video by Translation and Linguistic Rights Committee of PI

The Manning River Helmeted turtle (Myuchelys purvisi), a species found only in the coastal rivers of New South Wales' Manning River region, is facing an unprecedented threat from the Macquarie River turtle (Emydura macquarii), a native species that has been introduced to its habitat. The Manning River turtle, known as Guraa in the Gathang language of the Traditional Custodians of Birpai-Barray, has a lineage dating back 55 million years and is listed as endangered due to habitat clearing, illegal pet trade, and invasive predators. However, the Macquarie River turtle, which is native to other river systems across Australia, has been spreading beyond its natural range since its introduction to the Manning River catchment in 2007, possibly by people releasing pet turtles into the river. This spread has now been detected across nine tributaries in the Manning River. The Macquarie River turtle poses multiple threats to the Manning River turtle, including competition for resources, potential disease transmission, and hybridisation, which can lead to the loss of distinct species as hybrid animals replace endangered populations. Current evidence suggests hybridisation is already occurring in the Bellinger and Kalang Rivers, where Macquarie River turtles were introduced in the 1990s. Researchers from Charles Sturt University, the University of Canberra, and the University of New England have developed environmental DNA (eDNA) tests to monitor the presence of Macquarie River turtles in the Manning River. These tests, which detect DNA shed by turtles in river water, offer a more efficient and less invasive method than traditional snorkelling or trapping surveys. The eDNA tests were found to be consistent with traditional surveys in detecting Manning River turtles but did not detect Macquarie River turtles at the sampled locations. The research aims to help ecologists accurately track the spread of turtle species outside their natural ranges, allowing for targeted conservation efforts. The study highlights the importance of monitoring native species that may become invasive when introduced to new habitats, as this can put additional pressure on already endangered species. The findings underscore the need for continued research and conservation efforts to protect Australia's unique freshwater turtle populations.

The Manning River Helmeted turtle (Myuchelys purvisi) might just be Australia’s most beautiful freshwater turtle. With a bright yellow stripe stretching from their nose to the tip of their tail, these striking turtles are hard to miss. The Manning River turtle is found nowhere else on earth except for the few coastal rivers in New South Wales’ Manning River region. Known as Guraa in the Gathang language of the Traditional Custodians of Birpai-Barray, this ancient turtle has a lineage dating back 55 million years. However, this ancient species faces a very modern crisis. The Manning River turtle is listed as endangered and is being pushed towards extinction by the pressures of habitat clearing, the illegal pet trade and invasive predators that prey on adult female turtles and their eggs. But as our new study reveals, this species faces an even more urgent, and perhaps unexpected, threat: another native but locally-introduced turtle. Read more: We identified the 63 animals most likely to go extinct by 2041. We can’t give up on them yet An unexpected threat The Macquarie River turtle (Emydura macquarii), also known as the Murray River turtle, is native to several river systems snaking across Australia. It is also...