Phylogeographical population structure of tiger quolls Dasyurus maculatus (Dasyuridae: Marsupialia), an endangered carnivorous marsupial

Abstract

Tiger quolls, Dasyurus maculatus, are the largest carnivorous marsupials still extant on the mainland of Australia, and occupy an important ecological niche as top predators and scavengers. Two allopatric subspecies are recognized, D.m. gracilis in north Queensland, and D.m. maculatus in the southeast of the mainland and Tasmania. D.m. gracilis is considered endangered while D.m. maculatus is listed as vulnerable to extinction; both subspecies are still in decline. Phylogeographical subdivision was examined to determine evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) and management units (MUs) among populations of tiger quolls to assist in the conservation of these taxa. Ninety-three tiger quolls from nine representative populations were sampled from throughout the species range. Six nuclear microsatellite loci and the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (471 bp) were used to examine ESUs and MUs in this species. We demonstrated that Tasmanian tiger quolls are reciprocally monophyletic to those from the mainland using mtDNA analysis, but D.m. gracilis was not monophyletic with respect to mainland D.m. maculatus. Analysis of microsatellite loci also revealed significant differences between the Tasmanian and mainland tiger quolls, and between D.m. gracilis and mainland D.m. maculatus. These results indicate that Tasmanian and mainland tiger quolls form two distinct evolutionary units but that D.m. gracilis and mainland D.m. maculatus are different MUs within the same ESU. The two marker types used in this study revealed different male and female dispersal patterns and indicate that the most appropriate units for short-term management are local populations. A revised classification and management plan are needed for tiger quolls, particularly in relation to conservation of the Tasmanian and Queensland populations.

Intraspecific variation, sex-biased dispersal and phylogeography of the eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

“…In fact, the minimum sequence divergence between the taxa was only 0.47% (three substitutions; Figure 2). This value is substantially less than the minimum differences observed between P. xanthopus subspecies (5.20%; Pope et al, 1996), and between mainland and Tasmanian tiger quolls, Dasyurus maculatus (2.71%; Firestone et al, 1999).…”

Home range of the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), a marsupial carnivore, in a rainshadow woodland

“…Regardless, Belcher and Darrant (2004) concluded that adult females tolerated the presence of juvenile and subadult female offspring, a system referred to as female natal philopatry. Genetic evidence so far gathered on spatial relationships of individuals within populations of the species also suggests this form of population arrangement (Firestone et al 1999). Tissue samples collected from each of our study animals are currently being genetically assessed and should provide some information about relationships between individuals in the local population, particularly with regard to mother-daughter lineages.…”

Phylogeographic divergence in the widespread delicate skink (Lampropholis delicata) corresponds to dry habitat barriers in eastern Australia

“…Fossil evidence for a Nothofagus tree species on King Island 38 kya suggests that moist forest vegetation occurred along the Bass Strait land bridges [82], enabling dispersal of the delicate skink into TAS. Although some other species appear not to have used these recent land bridges (frog: Crinia signigera , [79]; reptiles: Acritoscincus duperreyi , [76]; Lerista bougainvilli , [83]; mammals: Dasyurus maculatus , [84]), others appear to have dispersed across these Bass Strait land bridges (frogs: Limnodynastes peronii and tasmaniensis , [67]; reptiles: Liopholis whitii , [73]; Notechis scutatus , [85]) (Table 2). The repeated presence of the land bridges has also restricted east-west gene flow across Bass Strait in several marine invertebrate species ([86-89]; Table 2).…”