The Tiefseesaibling or deepwater char (Salvelinus profundus), not seen since the 1970s and declared extinct in 2008 by the IUCN, has reappeared, according to a study published in November 2022 by scientists from the Langenargen Fisheries Research Station, the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology in Munich, and researchers from Switzerland and Norway.
Using DNA samples, the researchers were able to show that the char caught in Lake Constance since 2014 are direct descendants of the original deepwater char. The fish must therefore have managed to survive undetected in the depths of Lake Constance. Until recently, it was assumed that the deepwater char, like the Lake Constance whitefish († 1970s), had become extinct because of eutrophication caused by excess nutrient input.
The fact that the deepwater char could remain undiscovered for so long is said to be due to the species occurring at depths of around 80 meters, where fishing is not normally carried out. For this reason, and because of its small body size of 15 to 20 centimeters, which makes it unattractive as a food fish, the scientists behind the study are confident that the deepwater char will not face overfishing in the future either.
About the author: Doreen Fräßdorf
Doreen Fräßdorf is the author and publisher of artensterben.de. She researches and writes about extinct and endangered species in the modern era, with a focus on red lists, scientific studies, historical sources, and current conservation efforts. The goal is a clear, evidence-based overview of biodiversity loss and species protection.
She is also the author of a non-fiction book about extinct modern-era mammals.
Support this blog
If you enjoyed this post, I would appreciate a small donation. This keeps artensterben.de ad-free and without paywalls, so all readers have free access to the content.
Alternatively, you can support my work by buying my book or via my Amazon wishlist.
Thank you!
_(6102600905).jpg){kind=link}