Connecticut River find includes first-time sightings of prehistoric fish [Video]

Researchers at the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) led an ongoing investigation by sampling the waters of the Connecticut River across Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire.

For the first time ever, they discovered evidence of shortnose sturgeons in the river by detecting the endangered fish with environmental DNA (eDNA), according to the CRC’s press release.

James Garner, a PhD Candidate at UMass Amherst, told Fox News Digital via email that the investigation was prompted by hearing from the local “fisherfolk community” members sharing sightings of the prehistoric fish.

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“Our multiple positive environmental DNA detections now provide the first scientific evidence to back up these community members’ reports – confirming the presence of shortnose sturgeon upstream of these dams,” he said.

Shortnose sturgeonhave “body armor” consisting of five rows of external, bony plates known as scutes, according to the National Oceanic …