Marsupial Population and Conservation Genetics

Eldridge, Mark D. B.

doi:10.1007/978-90-481-9023-2_22

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 181 publications

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“…These values were comparatively lower than previously reported for other Antechinus (Appendix S6). While variation in sample size can influence these values, it is notable that genetic variation in both species was similar to averages reported in the last review of marsupial population genetic diversity (Eldridge, 2010), in which the majority of studied taxa were listed as threatened species. For instance, levels of genetic variation found in the current study were similar to that found for well-connected populations of two threatened marsupials, the Vulnerable brush-tailed rock-wallaby, Petrogale penicillata (Hazlitt, Goldizen, & Eldridge, 2006) and mainland populations of the Endangered northern quoll, Dasyurus hallucatus (Cardoso et al, 2009).…”

Section: Genetic Differentiation and Variation Between A Mysticussupporting

confidence: 80%

Discovered and disappearing? Conservation genetics of a recently named Australian carnivorous marsupial

Mutton

Fuller

Tucker

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Five new species within the Australian carnivorous marsupial genus Antechinus have recently been named, at least two of which are threatened. Important facets of the habitat use and extinction risk of one of these new species, the buff‐footed antechinus, A. mysticus, are not well understood. Previous research has suggested that the species utilizes a broad range of inter‐connected forest habitats in southeast Queensland (Qld), Australia. Based on this potentially connected habitat, we predicted that A. mysticus should have low population genetic structure, particularly in relation to its congener, the spatially restricted, high altitude, closed‐forest A. subtropicus. We genotyped nine microsatellite loci for six populations of A. mysticus, sampled throughout their known range in eastern Australia, and compared them with four proximate populations of A. subtropicus. Surprisingly, genetic structuring among southeast Qld populations of A. mysticus was moderate to high and similar to that between A. subtropicus populations. We postulate that all A. mysticus populations have declined recently (<100 generations), particularly the northernmost southeast Qld population, which may be at risk of extinction. Our results suggest that A. mysticus is limited to a more scattered and fragmented distribution than previously thought and may be in decline. The identification of population decline in this study and recently in other Antechinus suggests the extinction risk of many Australian mammals should be reassessed.

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Section: Genetic Differentiation and Variation Between A Mysticussupporting

confidence: 80%

Discovered and disappearing? Conservation genetics of a recently named Australian carnivorous marsupial

Mutton

Fuller

Tucker

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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“…For autosomal microsatellites the levels of diversity ( A , He ) are amongst the highest yet reported in marsupials [2]. A remarkably high number of Y haplotypes were also detected in the Kangaroo Island population (Table 4, [27]), compared to other tammar populations, a more widespread and abundant macropodid (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The study of Australia’s unique marsupial fauna, continues to offer valuable insights into multiple fields including evolutionary genetics [ 1 ] and conservation biology [ 2 ]. The tammar wallaby ( Notamacropus eugenii ) (see [ 3 , 4 ] regarding the change of genus from Macropus ) is one of the most intensively studied marsupials, and has become a significant model species for reproductive, developmental, physiological, immunological, ecological and genetic research (see [ 1 , 5 , 6 – 12 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extensive genetic differentiation detected within a model marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Notamacropus eugenii)

et al. 2017

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The tammar wallaby (Notamacropus eugenii) is one of the most intensively studied of all macropodids and was the first Australasian marsupial to have its genome sequenced. However, comparatively little is known about genetic diversity and differentiation amongst the morphologically distinct allopatric populations of tammar wallabies found in Western (WA) and South Australia (SA). Here we compare autosomal and Y-linked microsatellite genotypes, as well as sequence data (~600 bp) from the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (CR) in tammar wallabies from across its distribution. Levels of diversity at autosomal microsatellite loci were typically high in the WA mainland and Kangaroo Island (SA) populations (A = 8.9–10.6; He = 0.77–0.78) but significantly reduced in other endemic island populations (A = 3.8–4.1; He = 0.41–0.48). Autosomal and Y-linked microsatellite loci revealed a pattern of significant differentiation amongst populations, especially between SA and WA. The Kangaroo Island and introduced New Zealand population showed limited differentiation. Multiple divergent mtDNA CR haplotypes were identified within both SA and WA populations. The CR haplotypes of tammar wallabies from SA and WA show reciprocal monophyly and are highly divergent (14.5%), with levels of sequence divergence more typical of different species. Within WA tammar wallabies, island populations each have unique clusters of highly related CR haplotypes and each is most closely related to different WA mainland haplotypes. Y-linked microsatellite haplotypes show a similar pattern of divergence although levels of diversity are lower. In light of these differences, we suggest that two subspecies of tammar wallaby be recognized; Notamacropus eugenii eugenii in SA and N. eugenii derbianus in WA. The extensive neutral genetic diversity and inter-population differentiation identified within tammar wallabies should further increase the species value and usefulness as a model organism.

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“…NC_003322, KY996502 and KY996500, respectively). However, as marsupial population genetic studies have mainly utilised microsatellites and the control region [32][33][34][35], the number of cytb sequences available on GenBank is not extensive.…”

Section: Sequence Alignment Primer Design and Evaluationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiplex PCRs for the specific identification of marsupial and deer species from faecal samples as a basis for non-invasive epidemiological studies of parasites

et al. 2020

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Background: The specific identification of animals through the analysis of faecal DNA is important in many areas of scientific endeavour, particularly in the field of parasitology. Methods: Here, we designed and assessed two multiplex PCR assays using genetic markers in a mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene region for the unequivocal identification and discrimination of animal species based on the specific amplification of DNA from faecal samples collected from water catchment areas in Victoria, Australia. One of these assays differentiates three marsupial species (eastern grey kangaroo, swamp wallaby and common wombat) and the other distinguishes three deer species (fallow, red and sambar deer). We tested these two assays using a total of 669 faecal samples, collected as part of an ongoing programme to monitor parasites and microorganisms in these animals. Results: These two PCR assays are entirely specific for these animal species and achieve analytical sensitivities of 0.1-1.0 picogram (pg). We tested 669 faecal samples and found that some previous inferences of species based on faecal morphology were erroneous. We were able to molecularly authenticate all of the 669 samples. Conclusions: We have established PCR assays that accurately distinguish the faecal samples of some of the prominent large mammalian herbivores found within a water catchment system in the state of Victoria, Australia. The multiplex assays for marsupials and deer produce amplicons that are easily differentiable based on their size on an agarose gel, and can be readily sequenced for definitive species authentication. Although established for marsupials and deer, the methodology used here can be applied to other host-parasite study systems to ensure data integrity.

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Marsupial Population and Conservation Genetics

Cited by 12 publications

References 181 publications

Discovered and disappearing? Conservation genetics of a recently named Australian carnivorous marsupial

Discovered and disappearing? Conservation genetics of a recently named Australian carnivorous marsupial

Extensive genetic differentiation detected within a model marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Notamacropus eugenii)

Multiplex PCRs for the specific identification of marsupial and deer species from faecal samples as a basis for non-invasive epidemiological studies of parasites

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