White-footed dunnarts (Sminthopsis leucopus) in Queensland’s Wet Tropics, with the description of a new subspecies

Lavery, Tyrone H., Collett, Rachael, Fisher, Diana O., Hoskin, Conrad J., and Rowland, Jesse (2022) White-footed dunnarts (Sminthopsis leucopus) in Queensland’s Wet Tropics, with the description of a new subspecies. Australian Mammalogy, 45 (1). pp. 77-90.

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Abstract

A population of white-footed dunnarts (Sminthopsis leucopus) occurs in the Wet Tropics bioregion of tropical north Queensland, Australia separated by about 1800 km from conspecifics in temperate New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. We conducted targeted surveys for S. leucopus in north-east Queensland and obtained new records, including the first reported capture of the species in Queensland in 18 years. We assessed the genetic and morphological divergence of the north Queensland population against New South Wales, Victorian and Tasmanian S. leucopus, in conjunction with distribution and habitat differences, to assess whether this isolate should be described as a distinct taxon. Sequencing of the mitochondrial Cytochrome b gene revealed genetic divergence estimates of 2.3–2.8% and 4.3–4.8% between the north Queensland population and S. l. ferruginifrons (Victoria) and S. l. leucopus (Tasmania) respectively. Based on genetic divergence, cranial morphology, differences in habitat, and geographical isolation, we describe the north Queensland population as a new subspecies of Sminthopsis leucopus. We suggest a conservation classification of Endangered given its small distribution, apparent low density, tropical upland location and potential threats, especially related to climate change.

Item ID: 75610
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1836-7402
Keywords: Atherton Tablelands, climate change, Dasyuridae, endemic, high elevation, mammal, rainforest, threatened
Copyright Information: © 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the Australian Mammal Society.
Funders: Australian Research Council (ARC)
Projects and Grants: ARC DP150100198
Date Deposited: 03 Aug 2022 07:43
FoR Codes: 31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310308 Terrestrial ecology @ 50%
31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3109 Zoology > 310914 Vertebrate biology @ 50%
SEO Codes: 18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1806 Terrestrial systems and management > 180606 Terrestrial biodiversity @ 100%
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