Snapshot of the
Murray-Darling Basin

An environmentally and economically significant region of Australia  

“Following decades of environmental stress caused by farming, drought and other climate change related pressures, it is exciting to be able to bring this groundbreaking eDNA technology to the Murray–Darling Basin, so that a baseline for ecological health can be determined.”

— Sasha Wells, Manager Great Australian Wildlife Search, Odonata Foundation 

Hundreds of wildlife species live in the Murray–Darling Basin

  • 124 families of macroinvertebrates

  • 85 mammal species (20 of which are extinct, 16 endangered)

  • 46 snake species (5 endangered)

  • 3 freshwater turtle species

  • Over 50 native fish species

  • Hundreds of wildlife species live in the Murray–Darling Basin

  • 31 native frogs species

  • 367 bird species (35 of which are endangered), including 98 species of waterbirds

The Murray–Darling Basin is home to hundreds of wildlife species, some of which are threatened and need protecting.

Conducting eDNA water sampling in the region allows the detection of traces of DNA that wildlife shed into their environment. This then helps scientists identify and determine the distribution of wildlife and threatened aquatic species, such as the growling grass frog or Murray River short-necked turtle, and in turn supports conservation efforts to protect them.

Native animals also provide an economic benefit to Basin communities by bringing tourists to the regions, which is another important reason to maintain diversity and ecosystem health. 

Threatened species in the Basin

  • Green and Golden Bell Frog

  • Murray-River Short-Necked Turtle

  • Murray River Rainbow Fish

  • Growling Grass Frog

  • Macquarie Perch

  • Murray Cod

  • Brown Toadlet

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