Most members will be aware that our club donated $1,000 towards the cost of DNA research into the various populations of Bermuda’s endemic killifish. Mark Outerbridge, an ecologist working with the Department of Conservation Services, conducted an Island-wide study into the various populations. This included population counts for each pond as well as taking fin clippings from each population for DNA testing.

Previous research in Bermuda has suggested that we have two endemic killifish – Fundulus bermudae and Fundulus relictus. To the casual eye, these species look identical but there are morphological differences that support the classification of two species. However, with the advances made in the area of DNA testing, it is now possible to get a definitive answer on how many different species we have. The answer to that question is also critical in determining how Bermuda manages the populations in different ponds. For example, if the population in Warwick Pond is a different species to all the other ponds, then special care needs to be taken to protect that population. Such care wouldn’t be so critical if the Warwick Pond population was the same species as the killies in the other ponds.

A recent conversation with Mark Outerbridge revealed that the DNA research has now been completed and, whilst he has received some preliminary results, he’s still waiting for the complete report. The preliminary report suggests that the Warwick Pond population may well be different enough from the populations in the eastern end of the Island that it will warrant special conservation efforts.

Fry-Angle members knew from our own excursions to Warwick Pond that the population there was very sparse. This was later confirmed by Mark’s scientific population count that showed that very few killies remained in the pond (less than 500 adults), which is heavily silted and affected by various pollutants. To protect against a catastrophic loss of the entire Warwick Pond population, Mark transplanted a few pairs into the nearby pond at the Windreach facility. The transplanted killies thrived and there is now a healthy population established at Windreach. In 2009 and 2010 some of these killies were introduced into the freshwater pond in Paget Marsh, and others were introduced into the freshwater pond on the 17th hole at Port Royal in an effort to increase their geographic range. Surveys planned later this year will confirm how well these new populations are doing in these ponds.

Whilst Anton Lamboj was visiting in January, we put him in touch with Mark, as he was interested in the Bermuda killifish. At very short notice, Mark very kindly processed the necessary paperwork to allow Anton to export three pairs of killies so that a captive breeding population can be established at the Vienna Zoo. Mark helped to catch the young pairs from the Windreach Pond and the next day they flew to Austria.

Anton’s friend and colleague works at the Vienna Zoo and has captive breeding populations of many species of killifish from around the world, including several Fundulus species. It is hoped that a thriving captive population can be established at the zoo, thereby providing another buffer against any disaster that might befall the Warwick Pond population. This will be particularly useful if the Warwick Pond population is indeed proven to be a new species.

I’ve asked Mark to keep us updated on any progress regarding the Bermuda killies and we’ll print any information he provides in Fish Tales..