Speciation of Antechinus stuartii and A. subtropicus (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae) in eastern Australia: molecular and morphological evidence

摘要: This paper evaluates the systematic status of Antechinus populations northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, using a combined morphological molecular (allozymes mitochondrial DNA) approach. Analysis d-loop section DNA control region revealed two highly supported clades within A. stuartii sensu lato that were sympatric in Border Ranges Wales. However, genetic distances between these small ( approximately 3%), indicating time divergence was probably relatively recent. Allozyme electrophoresis also showed very differences clades/ species. Analyses cranial dental characters members each differed morphologically corresponded to recently described subtropicus. The results support species subtropicus, suggest speciation likely result recent vicariant event.