Scientists at the California Academy of Sciences have utilized a groundbreaking DNA-based age determination method, revealing that Methuselah, the cherished Australian lungfish residing in San Francisco’s Steinhart Aquarium, is believed to be 92 years old.
This groundbreaking estimate surpasses the aquarium’s previous approximation of Methuselah’s age, which stood at 84 years. However, researchers caution that there is a nine-year margin of error, implying that Methuselah might potentially be as old as 101 years, according to a Live Science report.
Unlike conventional methods, which can be invasive and even lethal, the technique employed to assess Methuselah’s age is non-invasive and benign. It involves extracting a minuscule tissue sample from a fin clip measuring less than 0.5 centimeters.
Designated as a vulnerable species in its native habitat, the Australian lungfish holds immense importance to the Australian government. It is the last surviving member of a fish family that has endured since the era of dinosaurs, with fossil records tracing its existence back 100 million years.
This unique fish species also boasts substantial size, typically weighing around 88 pounds. Its aptly bestowed moniker, “lungfish,” is derived from its remarkable ability to respire air without relying on gills, showcasing its resilience and evolutionary significance.