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Mitochondrial DNA sequence variation within the remnant populations of the endangered numbat (Marsupialia: Myrmecobiidae: Myrmecobius fasciatus )
Author(s) -
Fumagalli L.,
Moritz C.,
Taberlet P.,
Friend J. A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
molecular ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.619
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1365-294X
pISSN - 0962-1083
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-294x.1999.00728.x
Subject(s) - biology , mitochondrial dna , endangered species , evolutionary biology , genetic diversity , population , lineage (genetic) , range (aeronautics) , genetic variation , conservation genetics , gene flow , zoology , microsatellite , genetics , ecology , gene , allele , demography , materials science , sociology , habitat , composite material
The numbat has been reduced to two populations in Western Australia. To better understand the effects of range reduction on gene flow and genetic variation, and to address questions crucial for the species’ management, we analysed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences of free‐ranging individuals and museum specimens. The results suggest recent connectivity between the remnant populations, although one of those may have lost significant amounts of genetic diversity during the recent population size reduction. We propose that for management purposes the remnant populations should be treated as a single historical lineage and that, subject to certain caveats, consideration should be given to population augmentation by translocation.