Abstract for presentation at 11th International Congress of Human Genetics

Intraspecific genetic variation and phylogeography of the Western Grey Kangaroo, Macropus fuliginosus

  • Ms Linda Neaves, Department of Biological Sciences Macquarie University, N.S.W, Australia
  • Dr Kyall Zenger, Reprogen, Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, N.S.W, Australia
  • Dr Robert Prince, Department of Conservation and Land Management, W.A., Australia
  • Prof Desmond Cooper, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, N.S.W, Australia

    • The western grey kangaroo, Macropus fuliginosus is a morphologically diverse species ranging across much of southern Australia. Like many other species of large macropod they are actively managed as a commodity and controlled as a pest, whilst attempting to conserve the species. The information which genetic analysis can reveal about this species may prove crucial to the effectiveness of its management. Nine microsatellite loci and a section of the mitochondrial DNA control region have been examined in 18 populations across the range. As has previously been shown in other large macropod species there is a high degree of genetic diversity within this species, although this varies between populations at the extremities of the range. The sole island population, on Kangaroo Island, has undergone a significant reduction in genetic diversity due to its isolation. The genetic diversity may be partitioned in to 3 potential mainland management units, with some differences apparent in dispersal patterns between eastern and western extremities of the range. The expansion of the species from western regions from where they appear to have originated from to their current distribution appears to have been the result of a single expansion event, with further gene flow potentially being prevented/reduced by the formation of the Nullarbor Plain during the Pleistocene.

    Conference Organiser - ICMS Pty Ltd