To conserve the Acheilognathus cyanostigma in Shiga Prefecture, it was confirmed to be necessary to conduct reintroduction of this species. Consequently, the “Acheilognathus cyanostigma Reintroduction Project” began in Shiga Prefecture in 2017, led by a citizen group “Botejako Trust”. Furthermore, monitoring surveys using environmental DNA commenced in 2025.

This monitoring is conducted in collaboration with our center, utilizing “species-specific environmental DNA survey” which enables higher sensitivity and broader monitoring coverage than conventional capture surveys. This species-specific detection assay for Acheilognathus cyanostigma was developed by researchers from Center for Biodiversity Science, Ryukoku University, and the Shiga Prefectural Lake Biwa Museum. Based on the results of field validation experiments, the findings were published in the international academic journal, Conservation Genetics Resources.
→Conservation Genetics Resources.

Following the reintroduction in Shiga Prefecture, we have been conducting monthly monitoring in collaboration with the Botejako Trust by water sampling. To date, DNA from the Acheilognathus cyanostigma has been detected every month. We will continue analyzing fluctuations in positive reactions to assess the progress of the Acheilognathus cyanostigma establishing the population.

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• Lake Biwa Day Project 2025 “Lake Biwa Challenge: 100 sites eDNA survey”