Novel insights into the phylogenetic relationships of the endangered marsupial genus Potorous

摘要: The three extant potoroo species of the marsupial genus Potorous -Potorous tridactylus, P. longipes and gilbertii - are all conservation concern due to introduced predators habitat loss associated with European settlement Australia. Robust phylogenies can be useful inform management, but past phylogenetic studies on potoroos have been unable fully resolve relationships within genus. Here, a multi-locus approach was employed, using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA): NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2, cytochrome c oxidase 1 12S rRNA four nuclear (nuDNA) gene regions: breast ovarian cancer susceptibility gene, recombination activating gene-1, apolipoprotein B omega globin. This coupled widespread geographic sampling broadly distributed investigate this Analyses mtDNA identified five distinct highly divergent lineages including, longipes, tridactylus (northern mainland, southern mainland Tasmanian). paraphyletic lineage, suggesting that cryptic taxa may exist tridactylus. NuDNA sequences lacked resolution mtDNA. Although they resolved currently recognised species, were differentiate Current management as two sub-species (mainland Tasmania) does not recognise full scope genetic diversity especially populations. Until data from more informative nuDNA markers available, we recommend managed following subspecies: (southern Queensland northern New South Wales); trisulcatus Wales Victoria) apicalis (Tasmania). Molecular dating estimated divergences occurred in late Miocene through early Pliocene.