Silent survivors: how monitoring and genetics reveal the recovery of the Adriatic sturgeon

The Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) is a critically endangered species that has been the focus of conservation efforts for the past three decades. Recent monitoring programs, supported by genetic analysis, suggest encouraging recovery signals. Notably, the latest IUCN report identifies A. naccarii as the only sturgeon species showing an improved conservation status, moving from “Extinct in the Wild” to “Critically Endangered”. This study provides an overview of a monitoring activities conducted over the past ten years, focusing on key findings that support this positive trend, such as evidence of spontaneous reproduction. In this context, genetic studies have been crucial in distinguishing between individuals resulting from past restocking efforts and potentially wild-born specimens. Unexpectedly, a few individuals were unambiguously classified as interspecific hybrids, raising concerns about the potential impact of allochthonous sturgeons on the genetic integrity of the Adriatic sturgeon. These findings underscore the importance of long-term monitoring and genetic assessments in conservation strategies for A. naccarii.