Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/133935
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- Title
- The population genetics of the western grey kangaroo, Macropus fuliginosus
- Related
- Australasian Digital Theses Program
- Publisher
- Australia : Macquarie University
- Date
- 2007
- Author/Creator
- Neaves, Linda Elizabeth
- Description
- Thesis (PhD)--Macquarie University, Division of Environmental and Life Sciences, Dept. of Biological Sciences, 2007.
- Description
- Includes bibliographical references.
- Description
- Molecular ecology: its use and application in Macropods -- Landscape discontinuities influence gene flow and genetic structure in the western grey kangaroo, Macropus fuliginosus -- Pleistocene divergence and range expansions: phylogeography of the western grey kangaroo, Macropus fuliginosus -- Hybridisation occurs between sympatric populations of grey kangaroo species, Macropus fuliginosus and Macropus giganteus -- Male population structure and dispersal in Macropus fuliginosus and hybridisation with Macropus giganteus as revealed by y-microsatellite haplotypes -- General conclusions.
- Description
- The western grey kangaroo, Macropus fuliginosus is one of the largest species of extant macropod and is distributed across most of southern Australia. However, existing research is limited to ecological and captive studies and major gaps in our knowledge remain. In this study, variation at autosomal and Y-chromosome microsatellite loci, as well as the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region was assessed in M. fuliginosus populations throughout the transcontinental distribution to elucidate aspects of contemporary structure, phylogeography and hybridisation. Overall diversity in M. fuliginosus was among the highest recorded in marsupials at both autosomal microsatellites and mtDNA, although Kangaroo Island was a notable exception. In contrast, Y-chromosome microsatellites showed less diversity, potentially associated with the skewed sex ratio and polygynous mating system. Five genetically distinct units, some associated with landscape discontinuities, were apparent within M. fuliginosus. Of these, the Lake Torrens/Flinders Ranges area represents the most substantial filter, with populations on either side displaying little admixture and reduced male gene flow. Overall high levels of dispersal were evident, with a strong male bias in effective migration rates. The absence of isolation by distance in the east of the range appears associated with the recent eastward expansion or the influence of environmental/ landscape variables on dispersal. Climatic fluctuations during the Pleistocene have influenced the genetic structure of M. fuliginosus, with the temporary historic isolation of north and south-western populations and subsequent eastward expansion into the current distribution, from south-western Australian populations, prior to the last glacial maxima. Colonised during the easterly expansion, the Kangaroo Island population appears to display differing maternal and paternal lineages. M. fuliginosus represents a single evolutionary significant unit comprised of several management units some of which relate to morphological and reproductive variants. Kangaroo Island represents a reproductive and morphological variant resulting from 9,500 years of isolation and drift, rather than a major component of the genetic diversity. Where M. fuliginosus occurs sympatrically with Macropus giganteus two-way introgression was apparent but no Fl hybrids were detected. This level of hybridisation is indicative of occasional breakdowns in reproductive isolation rather than an active contact zone.
- Description
- Mode of access: World Wide Web.
- Description
- xviii, 252 p. ill., maps
- Subject Keyword
- Macropus fuliginosus -- Genetics
- Subject Keyword
- Macropus fuliginosus -- Geographical distribution
- Subject Keyword
- Animal population genetics
- Subject Keyword
- Macropus giganteus -- Genetics
- Subject Keyword
- Macropus fuliginosus -- Molecular genetics
- Subject Keyword
- Phylogeography
- Subject Keyword
- Macropus fuliginosus -- Hybridization
- Subject Keyword
- Macropus giganteus -- Hybridization
- Resource Type
- Thesis PhD
- Organisation
- Macquarie University. Dept. of Biological Sciences
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/133935
- Identifier
- 1533334
- Language
- eng
- Rights
- Copyright disclaimer: http://www.copyright.mq.edu.au
- Rights
- Copyright Linda Elizabeth Neaves 2007.
- Rights
- This thesis was digitised for the purposes of Document Delivery. Macquarie University ResearchOnline attempted to locate the author but where this has not been possible; we are making available, open access, selected parts of the thesis which may be used for the purposes of private research and study. If you have any enquiries or issues regarding this work being made available please contact Macquarie University ResearchOnline - researchonline@mq.edu.au. If you wish to access the complete thesis, on receipt of a Document Supply Request, placed with Macquarie University Library by another library, we will consider supplying a copy of this thesis. For more information on Document Supply, please contact ill@library.mq.edu.au
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