Conservation genetics of the rare Maugean skate

Jess&Kay_140714The Maugean skate (Zearaja maugeana) is found only estuarine embayments on the isolated western coast of Tasmania in southern Australia.

PhD student Ms Kay Weltz (left, shown here discussing DNA results with MFL associate Jess Morgan) is using genetic markers to study the biology of this unique elasmobranch species. Kay is visiting MFL from the University of Tasmania (Hobart) until end of July 2014.

Kay’s study species is sister species to the skate species harvested in Chile, and the subject of another MFL project.