Phylogenetic relationships within Dasyurus (Dasyuromorphia: Dasyuridae): quoll systematics based on molecular evidence and male characteristics. Issue 1 (27th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Woolley, Patricia A.; Krajewski, Carey; Westerman, Michael
• Is Part Of: Journal of mammalogy. Volume 96:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 46
• Publication Date: 2015-03-27
• Subjects: bulbourethral glands -- Dasyurus classification -- Dasyurus taxonomy -- levator muscles -- penis appendage -- penis morphology -- translocation of Dasyurus geoffroii; Mammals -- Periodicals; 599.05
• DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyu028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-2372

Abstract

Abstract : Phylogenetic relationships among the 6 species of quolls ( Dasyurus ) are resolved using DNA sequences from 4 mitochondrial and 5 nuclear loci (approximately 15kb) sampled from 1 to 29 individuals per species. Our estimate of quoll phylogeny concurs with previous DNA-based estimates in placing Dasyurus hallucatus as sister to the remaining species, and D. maculatus as sister to a clade containing D. viverrinus, D. albopunctatus, D. geoffroii + D. spartacus . We also provide the first formal description of penis anatomy in the northern quoll ( D. hallucatus ), documenting it as the only species of Dasyurus lacking an appendage to the penis. This appendage thus appears to constitute a morphological synapomorphy for the clade of 5 species that excludes D. hallucatus . The sequence from our single specimen of bronze quoll ( D. spartacus ) nested within a clade of 3 western quoll ( D. geoffroii ) sequences, suggesting that the species boundary between these groups (if it exists) is not yet reflected in reciprocal monophyly of mitochondrial haplotypes. Any genetic differences found between eastern and western forms of D. geoffroii would have implications for translocations of western animals into other parts of the species range.