Cryptic grey-bellied dunnart (Sminthopsis griseoventer) discovered in South Australia: genetic, morphological and subfossil analyses show the value of collecting voucher material

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dc.contributor.authorKemper, C.
dc.contributor.authorCooper, S.
dc.contributor.authorMedlin, G.
dc.contributor.authorAdams, M.
dc.contributor.authorStemmer, D.
dc.contributor.authorSaint, K.
dc.contributor.authorMcDowell, G.
dc.contributor.authorAustin, J.
dc.date.issued2011
dc.descriptionPublished online 23 November 2011
dc.description.abstractThe assumption that almost all mammal species are known to science has led to a recent trend away from collecting voucher specimens/tissues during field studies. Here we present a case study of a recently discovered cryptic marsupial (Sminthopsis griseoventer) in South Australia (SA) and show how such collections can contribute to rigorous biodiversity and biogeographic assessments. Morphological and genetic (allozyme and mitochondrial control region (CR) sequence data) analyses, including ancient DNA analyses of type material, were applied to 188 voucher specimens and 94 non-vouchered tissues of Sminthopsis held at the SA Museum. These data were used to confirm the presence of S. griseoventer in SA, validate means of identifying it morphologically and describe recent and pre-European distributions. Pelage differences between S. griseoventer and S. dolichura enabled their identification, but external measurements overlapped considerably. Subfossil S. griseoventer were identified from seven deposits and confirmed that in the past the species was more widespread in SA. CR divergences (>1.8%) among Western Australian and SA S. griseoventer suggested its long-term presence in SA. Discrepancies between the mitochondrial and allozyme affinities of S. aitkeni and S. griseoventer, coupled with the lack of obvious morphological differences, indicate that a taxonomic reappraisal of these species is warranted. The study strongly demonstrates an ongoing need for the routine collection of mammal voucher material in biological and environmental impact surveys.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityCatherine M. Kemper, Steven J. B. Cooper, Graham C. Medlin, Mark Adams, David Stemmer, Kathleen M. Saint, Matthew C. McDowell and Jeremy J. Austin
dc.identifier.citationAustralian Journal of Zoology, 2011; 59(3):127-144
dc.identifier.doi10.1071/ZO11037
dc.identifier.issn0004-959X
dc.identifier.orcidCooper, S. [0000-0002-7843-8438]
dc.identifier.orcidAdams, M. [0000-0002-6010-7382]
dc.identifier.orcidAustin, J. [0000-0003-4244-2942]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/68856
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherC S I R O Publishing
dc.rightsJournal compilation © CSIRO 2011
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1071/zo11037
dc.subjectAllozyme electrophoresis
dc.subjectdasyurid
dc.subjectdistribution
dc.subjectmitochondrial control region
dc.subjectparatype
dc.subjectSminthopsis aitkeni
dc.subjectSminthopsis dolichura
dc.subjecttaxonomy
dc.titleCryptic grey-bellied dunnart (Sminthopsis griseoventer) discovered in South Australia: genetic, morphological and subfossil analyses show the value of collecting voucher material
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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