Phylogeography of southern brown and golden bandicoots: implications for the taxonomy and distribution of endangered subspecies and species

摘要: Southern brown (Isoodon obesulus) and golden auratus) bandicoots are iconic Australian marsupials that have experienced dramatic declines since European settlement. Conservation management programs seek to protect the remaining populations; however, these impeded by major taxonomic uncertainties. We investigated history of population connectivity inform subspecies species boundaries through a broad-scale phylogeographic genetic analysis Isoodon taxa. Our analyses reveal east–west split within I. obesulus/I. auratus, supported both mtDNA nuclear gene analyses, which is not coincident with current or taxonomy. In eastern lineage, all Tasmanian samples formed distinct monophyletic haplotype group exclusion mainland samples, indicative long-term isolation this from Australia providing support for retention subspecific status (I. o. affinis). Analyses further suggest obesulus limited south-eastern Australia, representing significant reduction in known range. However, provide no clear consensus on bandicoot populations western required, ideally incorporating data historical museum specimens fill distributional gaps.